The Italian three-times World Champion Patrick Pigneter and his double partner two-times World Champion Florian Clara received their trophy for “Best Natural Track Luge Athlete of the Year” for the season 2008/09 in the “Landhaus” in Bolzano, Italy, on Wednesday, June 10, 2009. Governor of South Tyrol, Luis Durnwalder as well as Christian Plainer, CEO from World Cup presenter PEWO were there to hand over the award. Pigneter and Clara could not receive their trophy at the original event, the PEWO Gala in April, as on the same day they had also received an award from the country of South Tyrol.

Josef Ploner represented the International Luge Federation (FIL), besides him following officials from sports and politics were presents: Stefan Leitner (CEO Sporthilfe Südtirol), Hermann Ambach (FISI President South Tyrol), Hubert Malleier (CEO Starmaker GmbH), Martin Böckle (Sportarena TV), Karl Damian (Race Director Luge Italy), Raimund Pigneter (Father of Patrick).