Innsbruck-Igls (pps) With Latvia’s Agnese Koklaca and Italy’s Sandra Gasparini, two participants in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada (February 12 to 28) will add additional value to the FIL Junior World Championships at the Olympic track in Innsbruck-Igls. In any case the women’s decision on Sunday promises a lot of suspense. In addition to the two Vancouver Olympians, USA’s Kate Hansen, 2008 Junior World Champion, and her teammate Emily Sweeney, who only just missed her Olympic ticket, will be competing. Germany will be represented by Lisa Liebert, Corinna Schwab and Dajana Eitberger. The host nation’s team includes the name Nina Prock, daughter of Austria’s luge legend Markus Prock, who is still the record Overall World Cup champion with his ten victories.
The absolute favorite in men’s singles is Julian von Schleinitz. The title holder has already won the overall Junior World Cup even before the season’s final in Winterberg. Semen Pawlichenko from Russia, who won last week’s Junior World Cup in Oberhof, is likely to be his strongest rival.
The doubles competition promises a duel between Nico Grünneker/Nico Walther (GER) and Italy’s Ludwig Rieder/Patrick Rastner (ITA), the winners of the season’s opener in Parananovo, Russia. For the first time, a Team Relay will be held as part of the FIL Junior World Championships.
The schedule of Igls
Saturday, January 30, 2010
10:00 hrs 1st and 2nd competition runs junior men
13:30 hrs 1st and 2nd competition runs doubles
Sunday, January 31, 2010
11:00 hrs 1st and 2nd competition runs junior women
13.30 hrs Team Relay
