Meran (pps) There is a genuine baby boom among Italy’s luge athletes. It was started by Wilfried Huber, 1994 Olympic champion in doubles, whose wife Manuela gave birth to their daughter Jana on March 2. On May 14, a daughter, Alexandra, was born to Christian Oberstolz, bronze medalist in doubles at the 2006 European Championships, and his wife Anastasia Antonova-Oberstolz, fourth placer in the 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 overall Viessmann World Cup ratings. Two days later, it was Patrick Gruber’s (Christian Oberstolz’s doubles partner’s) and his wife Ruth’s turn when their son Max was born on May 16. Kurt Brugger, 1994 Olympic champion in doubles together with Wilfried Huber, and his wife Gabi were happy to announce the birth of their son Max on June 12. Oswald Haselrieder (2006 Olympic bronze medalists in doubles together with Gerhard Plankensteiner) and his wife Doris are expected to conclude the baby boom at the end of July when they will become parents.

Besides, two-time Olympic champion Armin Zöggeler married his partner Monika Robatscher in the church of Tiers on May 12. Armin Zöggeler and Monika Robatscher have been living together for several years. The newly-weds already have two children: Nina (born in 2002) and Thomas (2006).