Innsbruck (pps) A successful jubilee gala evening, the presentation of a three-volume book on the history of the FIL and the awarding of the 2011 World Championships to Cesana-Pariol (Italy): This is the outcome of the 55th Congress of the International Luge Federation (FIL), which was held in tribute of the 50th anniversary of the world federation in Innsbruck, Austria, on June 22/23.

In his ceremonial address, Josef Fendt, who has been heading the world federation since the death of founding President Bert Isatitsch in 1994, talked about the beginnings of the sport of luge in the 19th century. He also remembered the foundation of the FIL, which emerged from a luge section within the FIBT in 1957 and spoke about the FIL`s history in a hilarious review. When he was elected President 13 years ago, Fendt said, he had compared the FIL with a ship that is hard to maneuver. This is still the case, Fendt continued, adding that he still enjoys it mainly because of his excellent crew and the pleasant passengers. “I enjoy being the captain of the FIL”, said Fendt.

In the presence of numerous guests of honor, the world federation surprised the invited guests with a three-volume book on the history of the FIL. To his own surprise, the FIL President was handed over the first copy of the book bound in leather. Copies number two, three and four were given to Rene Fasel, President of the International Ice Hockey Federation and of AIOWF (Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations) and member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Leo Wallner, President of the Austrian Olympic Committee (ÖOC) and of the IOC, and to Bob Storey, President of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (FIBT). Rene Fasel congratulated the federation and promised to support the inclusion of natural track luge in the Olympic program. „The FIL is not an old federation. My wife was born in the same year as the FIL and I still consider her as very young”, he added wittily. FIBT President Bob Storey’s congratulation was also humorous: “We have been called a sister federation several times, but we rather consider us a parent“, said the Canadian.

The 2006 Olympic luge track in Cesana-Pariol, Italy, will be the venue of the 2011 luge world championships. After the 2006 Olympic luge competitions and the 2008 European Championships, the demanding artificial track will host a major luge event for the third time.
Harald Steyrer, FIL Vice-President for Finance, and Executive Board member Herbert Wurzer, both from Austria, received the FIL Medal of Honor in Gold. Both were instrumental in the making of the three-volume book.