Berchtesgaden (pps) The International Luge Federation, FIL, is resolutely continuing its reforms after an outstandingly successful 2003-2004 season. In order to keep up the pursued course in the World Cup by limiting the starting numbers with a previous qualifying and the introduction of the Nation’s Cup, directive meetings have been scheduled at Berchtesgaden for the last weekend in March.

The so-called “expert group” which gave good advice last year, will exchange their experience from last winter and should make further proposals on March 25. The participants are, among others, numerous FIL officials led by President Josef Fendt and the three-time Olympic and current World silver medallist, Georg Hackl. The head coaches will be represented by Thomas Schwab, Germany, Walter Plaikner, Italy, Wolfgang Schaedler, USA, Robert Manzenreiter, Austria, and Walter Marx, Slovakia. The aim are further improvements of the competition programme, particularly of the Challenge Cup, for the 2004-2005 season.

The meetings of the various commission and the workshop of the Youth Commission headed by Switzerland’s Sepp Benz are scheduled for Friday to Sunday. All meetings will be in preparation for the 2004 FIL Congress in June.