Oberhof (pps) With a „sprint race“, Jeff Christie, athletes’ representative of the International Luge Federation (FIL), has presented the idea of an innovative race format as a further development of the successfully introduced team relay. At the FIL Media Seminar recently held in Oberhof, the Canadian presented to the public his suggestion, which he has already submitted to the Sport Commission.

Christie, who finished on rank six at the Viessmann World Cup in Calgary, suggests applying the start gate in combination with a reaction start and the team relay’s finish touch pad. The idea of the sprint race originates from a meeting of all athletes’ representatives held in Sigulda, Latvia, last year. The race will consist of only one run in each of the disciplines women, men and doubles.

The proposal was well received by FIL President Josef Fendt, who announced that it would be dealt with by the Sport Commission in the spring of 2008.