Julia Taubitz and Jonas Müller provide highlights so far

Whistler (RWH) In 2021, all eyes in the luge world will be turned towards Whistler when the 2010 Olympic track hosts the 50th World Championships of the International Luge Federation (FIL). The dress rehearsal for the anniversary championships will be held next weekend (December 13-14) when the Viessmann Luge World Cup visits British Columbia for the sixth time.

Germany’s Julia Taubitz and Austria’s Jonas Müller have provided the season highlights so far, and they lead the women’s and men’s standings, respectively. Things always seem to happen when you least expect them, and this is certainly true of this pair of sliders. Taubitz, 23-years-old, has moved into the number one position on the German women’s squad as Natalie Geisenberger and Dajana Eitberger are on maternity leave and Tatjana Hüfner has retired from the sport. As Sprint World Champion, Müller, who is one year Taubitz’s junior, is part of a strong Austrian team which includes Olympic Champion David Gleirscher, former World Champion Wolfgang Kindl, and World Championship silver medallist Reinhard Egger.

“I’m more in the spotlight now,” says Julia Taubitz of her new role. Hailing from the Ore Mountains, Taubitz is brimming with confidence after last winter’s season saw her take two World Championship silver medals in Winterberg and finish as overall runner-up in the Viessmann World Cup. “The demands are higher now – I won’t be happy with sixth or seventh.” She feels the pressure to finish on the podium. Her off-track attitude is just as goal-oriented as her on-track performance. When her previous sponsor did not re-up with her, she went looking for a new one, and ended up partnering with an old acquaintance. She now reverts to wearing the same blue cap sported by Tatjana Hüfner last year.

Jonas Müller did wonders for his confidence last year by winning a surprise gold medal in the Sprint World Championships. His summer training with Peter Penz and Georg Fischler (silver medallists in doubles at the 2018 Olympics) has paid dividends by improving his start times. “And I am more relaxed now, less stubborn than before,” Jonas Müller says by way of explanation for the upturn in his performance. Head coach René Friedl firmly believes that his current number one has stacks of potential. Friedl also reveals another secret behind Austria’s dominance of the men’s event: “We operate with full transparency in terms of equipment – everyone has access to everything and there are no secrets.”