Sochi (pps) Alexander Vasin is the new head coach of Russia’s national luge team. The former coach of World silver medalist Albert Demchenko succeeds Valeri Silakov and will be trying to lead the Russian host team to a successful 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. Wolfgang Schaedler of Liechtenstein and Germany’s Martin Hildebrand are also part of the Russian coaching staff. Member of the Executive Board of the International Luge Federation (FIL) for many years, Silakov will now be responsible for working with young luge talents in Russia.