Altenberg (pps) Germany's women's lugers, undefeated in the Viessmann Luge World Cup for now 97 events, regret having to cancel the participation of Germany's Olympic luge team at the 42nd European Luge Championships of the International Luge Federation in Sigulda, Latvia, next week-end (January 23-24, 2010). "I would have liked to compete even though I think it would have been difficult to defend my title successfully", explained Natalie Geisenberger. Instead of competing at the Europeans in Sigulda, there is a special training camp scheduled for Germany's Olympic luge team on the artificially-iced track in Altenberg until Wednesday (January 20, 2010).
Two-time World champion Tatjana Huefner, who won five of the altogether seven Viessmann Luge World Cup events this season, commented: "Our coaches wanted a bit of quiet before the Games." With regard to the training camp in Altenberg, the 2006 Olympic bronze medallist even sees a "silver lining": "In Altenberg we have the chance to get as many training runs in one day as during the whole week in Sigulda."
However, at the World Cup final at the end of the month (January 30-31, 2010) in Cesana, Italy, the entire German Olympic team will compete. Those German lugers who failed to qualify for the Olympic Games will represent the German colours in Latvia. Head coach Norbert Loch will arrive in Sigulda on Friday (January 22, 2010).
