Austria running out of doubles pairings: fractured wrist for David Trojer

Sigulda (RWH) World Championship hosts Austria are gradually running out of entrants for the men’s doubles event. Two weeks ahead of the 47th World Championships of the International Luge Federation (FIL) on 27 January 2017, a second duo from the Austrian Luge Federation (ÖRV) are now facing uncertainty over their place in the starting line-up at their home World Championships. David Trojer sustained a fractured wrist in a fall during training for the Viessmann World Cup in Sigulda and must now sit out the Latvian event alongside his partner Philip Knoll. A further check-up in Innsbruck will determine whether the pair will be cleared to take part in the World Championships on their home track.

Medal candidates Peter Penz/Georg Fischler are also in doubt for the event. The 2016 World Championship sprint silver medallists will find out at the end of the week whether they can compete, following Georg Fischler’s bout of myocarditis. It is left to Thomas Steu/Lorenz Koller, who finished fourth in the European Championships, to represent the red, white and red flag in Sigulda this weekend.