St. Wolfgang. By a vast majority, Josef Fendt from Berchtesgaden has been re-elected President of the International Luge Federation (FIL). At the 50th Cogress in St. Wolfgang at lake Wolfgangsee/ Austria, the two-time World Champion and silver medallist of the 1976 Olympic Winter Games clearly won against his rival Dwight Bell, former President of the US Luge Federation (USLA). Fendt received 29 votes of the 42 countries – a record participation – while only 13 nations voted for Bell. „I am deeply impressed by this vast majority“, said Fendt shortly after the election.

Fendt, who was first elected successor to the deceased founding President Bert Isatitsch from Austria in Rome in 1994, will now enter his third term of office.

The following persons were also confirmed in their offices: Svein Romstad (USA) as Secretary General, Harald Steyrer (Austria) as Vice-President for Finance, Claire DelNegro (USA) as Vice-President Sport, Einars Fogelis (Latvia) as Vice-President Technical Affairs (Artificial Track) as well as Werner Kropsch (Austria) as Vice-President Sport (Natural Track). Alfred Jud (Italy) joined the Executive Board as Vice-President for Technical Affairs (Natural Track). Björn Dyrdahl (Norway) and Valeri Silakov (Russia) were elected memebers at large. Geoff Balme (New Zealand) will stay in his office as Vice-President for Oceania; Tsuguto Kitano (Japan) will be Vice-President for Asia for another term of office. Old and new Vice-President for International Affairs is Jan Steler (France).

Winterberg will be host to the 2006 European Championships; according to the delegates` vote (23:19), Altenberg was awarded the 2006 World Junior Championships.