Berchtesgaden (RWH) The luge competition program will be complemented by the Sprint World Cup in the 2014-2015 season. The new format was added to the International Luge Regulations (IRO) by unanimous vote at the 62nd Conference of the International Luge Federation (FIL) in the summer of 2014 and will close the race weekend three times during the post-Olympic winter: in Igls (AUT, 29–30 November 2014), Calgary (CAN, 12–13 December 2014) and Altenberg (GER, 21–22 February 2015). “I am personally excited about the Sprint World Cup because it will add a new dynamic to the World Cup season and also hopefully catch a new viewing audience,” states FIL athlete spokesman Chris Mazdzer (Photo, rightt), who is a member of the US team and finished fifth overall in the 2013-2014 Viessmann Luge World Cup rankings. “Although the athletes are essentially doing the same thing that we always do, this adds a new element to sliding and will make World Cup weekends more exciting.” Tobias Arlt, athlete spokesman for Germany and winner of two gold medals at Sochi 2014, also welcomes the change: “It’s always good to try something new. A new discipline can be invigorating, and I hope the sprint will be just that.” Arlt’s teammate Felix Loch, who has already collected three Olympic gold medals, hopes for “exciting races for the spectators”. A variety of factors should ensure just that: in the FIL Sprint World Cup the winner will be decided in just one run, and the time measured from a flying start at the earliest 100 meters after the start ramp, marked by a start bracket. The distance between the start ramp and start bracket is defined as the approach section, and the starting speed will be measured from the start bracket using radar equipment. A maximum of one interim time will be shown. Sprint records will be recorded for each discipline, but only the first 15 in each of the World Cup rankings will be entitled to take part. The athletes will start in the reverse order of their World Cup rank, and their place will not be filled by another athlete if they do not compete. The start height will be the same as that for the regular men’s, women’s and doubles races. The finish light barrier will be the same as in a normal World Cup race. In contrast to Viessmann World Cups, only the athlete will be allowed inside the start area. World Cup points will be awarded in the same manner as in the normal races and will contribute to the overall rankings.