Berchtesgaden (lemarc-cf): The track is in an excellent condition! That is what responsible FIL-representatives were able to make sure of and see for themselves during their recent visit in Sigulda, Latvia.
The preparations for the 36th World Championships from February 17th - 23rd, 2003, have almost been completed.
In order to make the competitions more attractive for the spectators at the track as well as on television, and to offer the journalists from all over the world better working conditions, last agreements were made with the organizers.
Thus a new information board will be set up, as well as a new video screen below curve 15 which will be visible over a long distance and which will enable every spectator to follow the races of the athletes very closely.
To permit also reporters, camera operators and photographers to be as close to the action as possible, there will be a new press room in the building at the finishing line, and the place for the television broadcast vans will also be close to the finishing area which represents an absolute novelty in Sigulda.
The preparations for the accommodation of the athletes as well as of several hundred expected journalists have also been completed.
After their training week in December, the athletes were also quite satisfied with the conditions in the Latvian winter sports paradise.
The artificial bobsled and luge track in Sigulda has a total length of 1200 meters, and at a maximal slope of 16 per cent racing speeds of up to 125 kilometers per hour are reached. The track has been in operation since 1986.

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