Laas/Lasa (ck) - The small town Lasa at the western end of the Vinschgau valley, well known for its white marble, hosts the world cup opening of the 2012/13 season, just before the year 2012 comes to an end. The organizers who earned their merits two years ago when the junior European Championships were held there, will have to face a few novelties: a new format which has been tested twice I the past winter as well as plenty new faces among the athletes will determine the 21st season of the world cup. The application of the new format which during the summer months has been scrutinized and slightly modified by an FIL (International Luge Federation) expert team results in a seeding list which will provide a more international mix of athletes. The ranking is based on the nations’ results in the past season, which leaves the men’s event with two seeded athletes for Austria, Italy, Russia, Germany and Poland. Bulgaria, Canada, Ukraine and Slovenia have one athlete seeded each. In the women’s event Austria, Italy and Russia have two seeded athletes, Bulgaria, Germany, Slovenia and Turkey have one. Those nations which shared the podium in the past years are also the ones with a seeded sled in the doubles’ event: Austria, Germany, Russia, Italy and Poland. The actual for the seeded positions are determined by the results of the last three world cup races. Overall the maximum entry for the world cup has been reduced to four men, three women and two doubles. This happened in full cooperation of the leading federations Italy, Russia and Austria. Should the tested format be satisfying, the rules can be officially changed at the FIL congress in 2014. “This new format is one of many measures we have taken to make the sport more attractive for spectators, athletes and the media with the final goal to include natural track luge in the Olympic program, possibly already in 2018”, says Christoph Schweiger, executive director of the FIL. Training runs will start on Friday, December 28th at 10am, competition runs will start on Saturday at noon. Track Info „Gafair“ in Lasa: Length: 850m Start elevation: 1003,30m Finish elevation: 878,54m Vertical drop: 120m Maximum drop: 24% Minimum drop: 10% Average drop: 14,1% Program in Laas/Lasa: Friday, 28.12.2012: from 10:00am: Training runs men, women, doubles 1.00pm: Qualification women afterwards Qualification doubles 18:00h: Opening Ceremony Saturday, 29.12.2012: 10:00am: Qualification men 12:00pm: 1st Competition run doubles afterwards: Nations’ Cup doubles afterwards: Nations’ Cup women afterwards: 1st Competition run women afterwards: 2nd Competition run doubles Sunday, 30.12.2012: 10:00am: 1st Competition run men afterwards Nations’ Cup men afterwards 2nd Comprtition run women afterwards 2nd Competition Run men 30 Minutes Break: Team event