Julia Taubitz and Florian Müller win at the 40th FIL Cup in Zwickau

Zwickau (FIL) The first international competition of the new season was won by local heroes Julia Taubitz and Florian Müller (both GER) in the General Class. On wheel sleds, 132 athletes from six nations participated in the 40th FIL Summer Cup in luge in Zwickau (GER). 
Apart from participants from Olympic Games, World and European Championships, the FIL Cup was above all a meeting of the young luge talents. 

On Saturday, 14 May, the individual competitions in the age groups Youth C, Youth B, Youth A, Juniors, General Class and Seniors were held. Sunday, 15 May brought the international comparison for the cup of the mayor of the city of Zwickau and a team competition. The team from the Czech Republic and Slovenia won the international comparison. 

Two-time World Cup winner Julia Taubitz was happy about her victory at the FIL Cup in her home country: "I haven't participated in the FIL Cup in Zwickau for nine years, but of course I had learned to luge here in the past and something has stuck in my mind. It was a cool event. I had some nice runs, I couldn't quite give what I wanted at the start, but at the end I am satisfied. It was nice to have direct contact with the very young athletes. I was allowed to sign many autographs and it gave me a lot of pleasure to see how much support I have here at home, from young and old." 

After two years of "Corona break", the organisers of the ESV Lokomotive Zwickau e. V. were again pleased about the many registrations and numerous guests of honour. Participants from Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Germany took part. Andrea Müller from the organising team of ESV Lok Zwickau said: "We deeply regret that our dear luge friends from Ukraine, who made their way to Zwickau every year, will not be able to take part this year.

photos: Sven Schmutzler