Oberhof (pps) After positive experience gathered from previous years, the International Luge Federation (FIL) will offer a sled service for small National Federations also in the post-Olympic season. Gerhard Kirchner from the German federal state of Thuringia will be successor to Wolfgang Ros and Hans Rinn in the 2006/2007 season, looking after sled problems of those athletes who cannot afford their own mechanics.

Kirchner, who looks back on 30 years of work in sled construction, will start his job at the Viessmann World Cup in Königssee on January 6/7, 2007. Kirchner’s service will also be available at the following World Cups in Winterberg, Oberhof and Altenberg as well as at the World Championships to be held in Igls, Austria, from February 2 to 4, 2007. The FIL has been offering this service, which is frequently used by athletes, since the 2002/2003 season.