Luge to enter new dimensions at Olympic test event
Whistler/Canada (pps) The International Luge Federation, FIL, will enter new dimensions at the final of the Viessmann Luge World Cup series in Whistler, Canada. The organisers expect a new speed record on the future Olympic track at the “Whistler Sliding Centre” on Friday (February 20) and Saturday (February 21) as well as an undreamt of media interest.
As far as the sport of luge is concerned, the entire focus will be on the Olympic test event - since the overall champions of the Viessmann Luge World Cup in the pre-Olympic season have more or less been determined. While Armin Zoeggeler and Christian Oberstolz-Patrick Gruber (all of Italy) have already been confirmed as the overall champions and will thus receive the World Cup, manufactured by JOSKA Kristall, Germany’s Tatjana Huefner only needs to earn a 25th place in order to receive this precious prize.
Three-time Olympic champion Georg Hackl of Germany is still holding the official luge speed record: At the 34th FIL Luge World Championships in St. Moritz (Switzerland) in 2000, the three-time World champion achieved a top speed of 144.3 km/h. However, during the International Training Week in Whistler in autumn 2008, 20-year-old Manuel Pfister of Austria, achieved a top speed of 148.83 km/h (unofficial).
But not only Hackl’s record will be at risk. For the first time, a luge event in Canada will draw more than 100 media representatives. At the Olympic test event for bobsleigh and skeleton two weeks ago, approximately 130 journalists already got an idea of the conditions at the artificially-iced track in the “Blackcomb Mountains”.
The Organising Committee, VANOC, will use the opportunity of the Viessmann Luge World Cup final to conduct an “Olympic emergency test”. Starting with the training schedule, via the transportation system and up to the medical services, the “2010 Olympic Winter Games” will be simulated. However, all FIL safety precautions for the new track will be followed.
So, whoever got hold of a ticket can look forward to thrilling events almost one year prior to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver (February 12-28, 2010).
