For the first time ever the PEWO Natural Track Gala, created by World Cup sponsor PEWO in cooperation with “naturbahnrodeln.tv”, was held in Weissenkirchen/Attergau in Austria last weekend. PEWO´s ten year anniversary and the opening of their new fabrication hall was celebrated on the same occasion and so the brand new hall – the last doors were fixed in the morning of the day of the event – was turned into a festival hall. The trophies were presented by the two CEOs of PEWO, Christian Plainer and Christian Holzinger together with FIL President Josef Fendt, who had been present during the whole anniversary celebration and expressed his thanks and pleasure about the excellent cooperation with PEWO.

The athletes of the year had been elected by a jury of sports journalists and luge experts. The categories best women, best man and best double were won respectively by Ekatharina Lavrentjeva, Patrick Pigneter and Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara. The young Austrian Thomas Kammerlander could win both categories, rookie of the year as well as “favourite athlete”. Latter was a public election in which spectators, colleagues and fans could vote.

The European Champions in the horn sled event, team Wiesen from Switzerland, were also present and as well as all natural track winners could enjoy a kiss from the runner up in the Miss Austria Contest, Konstanze Heis, as well as the cheers of 600 guests.