(es) - After 27 years the German Marcus Grausam ends his natural track luge career. He competed in the World Cup for 21 years and took part in 116 World Cup competitions as well as several European and World Championships. The last stop in his career: the World Cup finals 2014 in Romania. Why he ends his career right now? “I am looking forward to doing something else and not being at the track at the weekends all winter. As a sled manufacturer my future will be strongly connected to the luge sport, but I am glad that I will be able to spend more time at my company as well as cross-country skiing and ski touring.” Grausam started the time “after his career” with a six-day crossing of the Dolomites. The 37-year-old discovered his passion for luge sports during PE lessons at school. “We went to the artificial track to Königssee (GER) and also to the natural track in Kreuth (GER). I was immediately fascinated by natural track luge and joined the luge club Kreuth”, Grausam explains. Being in touch with the open country has always been a special pleasure for him: “Building tracks on existing forest roads without harming the environment – that’s what is so special about natural track luge. Additionally, I appreciate it that it is very easy for spectators to distinguish between a good and a bad run“. There was one outstanding moment in his career: his World Cup victory in Liechtenstein in 2004. “But also the second place at the World Cup finals in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 2010 was a good experience. And of course I will always remember moments like competing at 37 degrees below zero in Canada or missing the luggage at the airport once again.” Grausam has several favorite tracks: Moscow (RUS), Grande Prairie (CAN), Garmisch (GER) and Zelezniki (SLO). “I will certainly miss my sport and I will definitely watch the one or other competition. But not just being a sportsman was a pleasure, I also enjoyed being an advisory official as athletes’ representative concerning technical issues. And I am also very thankful for my time as official”, Grausam says at the end of his career.