The Austrian Luge Association reports two prominent retirements. Florian Glatzl and Bernd Neurauter have ended their careers.

Florian Glatzl (AUT) is trading in his luge sled for touring skis and an ice axe. The Tirol native made his luge debut on natural track in 2011 at the finale of the FIL Luge World Cup on Natural Track in Olang (ITA). Glatzl stood in third place on the podium in Kühtai (AUT) in 2018 and in
Moscow (RUS) in 2019, and the professional forester took fourth place at the 2019 World Championship in Latzfons (ITA). In the future, Glatzl's sports focus will be entirely in the Alpine scene. The 27-year-old is also working on a Master's degree in consulting and adult training in forestry while working in the forestry field. 

Florian Glatzl twice finished on the podium

His teammate Bernd Neurauter (29) has also retired from his luge. At the FIL Luge World Cup on Natural Track in Moscow (2016), the Styrian finished third. "I don't think you can imagine a better venue for your first and only podium," recalls Neurauter, who also has painful memories of the Russian capital. “Since I got injured in Moscow two years ago, I've been struggling with severe back pain when competing. But it is also clear that physical wear and tear will appear after 21 years of competitive sport.” Privately, Neurauter is currently building a house with his partner, keeps himself fit in summer when riding around 7,000 kilometers on the bicycle and still works at Magna Steyr in Graz.

Bernd Neurauter dedicated 21 years to luge

The FIL family wishes the two Austrians all the best for the new chapter of their lives.