“I’m one year older and the competition has become more challenging“
“A great season so far” “ I hope to continue good streak until Worlds”
Cesana (pps) Armin Zoeggeler is the undisputed top favourite at the 42nd World Championships of the International Luge Federation, FIL, in Cesana (Italy). Since the inauguration of the artificially-iced track in 2006, the two-time Olympic champion has, as yet, remained unbeaten in Cesana. At present, the 37-year old from South Tyrol is clearly leading the overall Viessmann Luge World Cup rankings. But the five-time World Champion refutes any idea of a “foregone conclusion” as far as the World Championship title is concerned. “I’m one year older and the competition has become more challenging. Of course I’ve had a great season so far and I hope to continue the good streak until the Worlds”, explained Zoeggeler in his interview with FIL press.
The interview
FIL press: You have earned two Olympic titles, five World gold medals and you are well on your way to post your tenth overall Viessmann Luge World Cup victory. Is it difficult searching for fresh motivation after all those victories?
Armin Zoeggeler: “Of course it’s become more difficult to find fresh motivation after all this time. Sometimes, the intensive summer training and the direct preparation push the envelope as far as the physical resilience is concerned. However, I have to admit that I like gyms and now as ever I’m still having fun on the sled. Whenever I feel that I’m getting too many runs under my belt, I’ll slow down a bit. But when everything is working out, just as it is right now, then it’s a great boost.”
FIL press: Has your training changed compared to your first years in luge?
Armin Zoeggeler: “The standards have of course changed. The training methods, too, have greatly developed.”
FIL press: Your competitors admire your driving style. Do you have an explanation?
Armin Zoeggeler: “I think it has a lot to do with talent. But it’s also the result of really hard work. Of course my driving style has not always been as it is today. I’ve always wobbled at the exits and my coordination skills have not always been optimum. But in the meantime I’ve succeeded to combine everything quite well.”
FIL press: Do you prepare your sled yourself or is someone taking care of that?
Armin Zoeggeler: “My sleds have been developed by Walter Plaikner, the coach of Italy’s luge team. Of course I contribute my ideas and he, too, has his own ideas. About 80 per-cent of the sled is set up right at the outset, and as far as the remaining 20 per-cent are concerned, you just have to experiment a lot. And that’s about it year after year. Of course there’s always an improvement here or there, but whenever you realize that a certain thing does not really work out you just get back to the old set-up. It also happens that there’s only one modification on the current sled before a new season is taking-off.”
FIL press: So far you’re still undefeated in Cesana, venue of the 42nd FIL Luge World Championships. Do you have an explanation why it seems to be a good place for you?
Armin Zoeggeler: “Well, I’ve certainly had a lot of runs on this track. Additionally, I like the ‘character’ of the track. You have to tackle all the turns and angles perfectly. By the way, I don’t always achieve that either. Of course it happens that I get out of a curve too early and the curves No. 17 and No. 18 are a great challenge, even for me. Anyway, the track is demanding and you have to be fully focused every single time.”
FIL press: Do you think that the nimbus of an “undefeatable Armin Zoeggeler” will hold at the Worlds?
Armin Zoeggeler: “That’s nothing you can predict. I’m one year older and the competition has become more challenging. Of course I’ve had a great season so far and I hope to continue the good streak until the Worlds. But I’m well aware of the fact that especially the German lugers will do their utmost to put me under pressure.”
FIL Press: Besides the Germans - who are your strongest competitors?
Armin Zoeggeler: “First and foremost there are Viktor Kneyb and Albert Demchenko of Russia. Albert has been improving lately and especially in Cesana he is always a force to be reckoned with.”
Armin Zoeggeler – short biography
born on January 4, 1974 in Meran; height: 181cm; weight: 85kg; residence: Voellan-Lana; profession: Carabiniere; active since: 1988.
Greatest success: 2002 and 2006 Olympic champion; 1998 Olympic silver medallist; 1994 and 2010 Olympic bronze medallist; World champion in 1995, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2005; World runner-up in 2000, 2007 and 2009; 2004 and 2008 European champion; nine-time overall World Cup winner (1997-98, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2003-04, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10); record-winner with 53 individual World Cup victories to his credit.
