Two training runs for men and women as well as one run of doubleseaters were held without any problems at the track of the 2005 World Championships in Latsch/Laces. The spring-like weather conditions did not keep the track operations team to provide perfect ice.
Results showed that in the women´s competition once more Russia´s Ekatharina Lavrentjeva will be the one to beat. But the faces of her challengers have slightly changed. The Austrian Sandra Mariner has retired. Last year´s rookie Melanie Batkowski (AUT) is no longer a newcomer but has establisher herself amongst world´s best lugers. Two Italians who did not compete last year found their way back to the luge family. Renate Kasslatter gave birth to a daughter and is back on the sled, Barabra Abart had considered quitting but came back with new motivation.
Men´s result lists had – just as last year – the Italians at the top positions. Just with different names. The biggest surprise of the training runs was that reigning World Champion Anton Blasbichler (ITA) did not make the internal qualification. His last (out of two in his career) title as a World Champion he won right here in Latsch in 2005. Two years ago his younger team mates could not beat him, now they took revenge. Another former World Champion has found back to his high performing level: Austria´s Gerhard Pilz whose last season was messed up by an injury which he sustained in the first race, is back and back in top condition.
The double seater´s event will be as nerve wrecking as it had been the past seasons already. All teams from Russia, Austria and Poland can win a race any given time. In the first training run the Russians were ahead, Russia competing with a full contingent of three sleds in the first race already.
On Thursday, all competition runs will be held, starting at 2pm.
Training Results of Wednesday, January 3rd:
1st Training run women:
1. Renate GIETL (ITA), 2. Melanie BATKOWSKI (AUT), 3. Barbara ABART (ITA), 4. Ekatharina LAVRENTJEVA (RUS), 5. Melanie SCHWARZ (ITA), 6. Renate KASSLATTER (ITA);
2nd training run women:
1. Ekatharina LAVRENTJEVA (RUS), 2. Renate GIETL (ITA), 3. Melanie BATKOWSKI (AUT), 4. Barbara ABART (ITA), 5. Renate KASSLATTER (ITA), 6. Tina UNTERBERGER (AUT);
1st training run men:
1. Christian SCHWARZ (ITA), 2. Andreas CASTIGLIONI (ITA), 3. Gerald KAMMERLANDER (AUT), 4. Gerhard PILZ (AUT), 5. Martin PSENNER (ITA), 6. Mathias RAINER (ITA);
2nd training run men:
1. Patrik PIGNETER (ITA), 2. Florian BREITENBERGER (ITA), 3. Martin PSENNER (ITA), 4. Andreas CASTIGLIONI (ITA), 5. Gernot SCHWAB (AUT), 6. Gerhard PILZ (AUT);
1st training run doubles:
1. Pawel PORSCHNEV/Ivan LAZAREV (RUS), 2. Reinhard BEER/Herbert KÖGL (AUT), 3. Christian SCHATZ/Gerhard MÜHLBACHER (AUT), 4. Denis ALIMOV/Roman MOLVISTOV (RUS), 5. Andrzej LASZCZAK/Damian WANICZEK (POL), 6. Thomas WEISS/Andreas LEITER (ITA);
Thursday, 4 Jan 2007:
1pm: 2. Training run doubles
2pm: 1. Competition run doubles
3pm: 2. Competition run doubles
3.30pm: Flower Ceremony doubles
4pm: 1. Competition run women/men
6.30pm: 2. Competition run women/men
7.30pm: Flower Ceremonies women/men
8.15pm: Medal Ceremonies
