Koenigsseee (pps) Date and venue couldn`t have been better chosen - the artificial track at Koenigssee, the first of its kind world-wide, will host an exceptional event next weekend. The track with its labyrinth of curves will have the honour to stage the 150th Viessman Luge World Cup in the history of the International Luge Federation, FIL. "Bearing in the mind the beginnings 25 years ago and considering what has come out of it, we can all be very proud", said FIL President Josef Fendt on the occasion of the FIL media seminar at Salt Lake City. The four World Cup events in the first 1977/78 season, with two races at Koenigssee and one each at Hammarstrand (Sweden) and Igls (Austria), have turned into an international series with venues on three continents (Europe, Asia and North America). Thus, 25 years ago, the majority of races took place on natural tracks, now, in the 21st century, the World Cup events are almost all carried out on artificial tracks.Record winner in the ladies` event is World champion Sylke Otto, Germany, who won her 20th race in the Viessmann Luge World Cup in the first competition at Calgary. Austria`s Markus Prock (33 victories) heads the ranking in the men`s event. Prock, who is on his way to his 6th Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, won the final rehearsal at St. Moritz in 1999. In the doubles the record winners are Hansjoerg Raffl/Norbert Huber from Italy. Raffl and Huber, both now responsible for Italy`s national team, celebrated altogether 28 World Cup victories between 1982 and 1993.
Comeback of the Three-Track-Tour
Koenigssee (pps) With the Viessmann Luge World Cup on the artificial track at Koenigssee the International Three-Track-Tour experiences its comeback on the competition calendar. Originally created as an event to get into the right mood for the World Cup season and as a counterpart to the International Four-Hill-Tour, the traditional event is now again integrated into the Viessmann Luge World Cup. As in the past the three competition venues are Koenigssee, Igls and Oberhof.
Two hours live on ARD
Koenigssee (pps) The public German TV station ARD will broadcast two hours of the Viessmann Luge World Cup on the artificial track at Koenigssee within its shows "Sportschau extra". ARD commentator Peter Grube will report from the women`s and doubles event on Saturday (13:30 hrs until 14:30 hrs) and live from the men`s event on Sunday (12:10 hrs until 13:10 hrs).
Becky Wilczack, Armin Zoeggler and Oberstolz/Gruber in the lead
Koenigssee (pps) Becky Wilczack (USA), World champion Armin Zoeggeler (Italy) and the surprise winners of Lake Placid, Italy`s double Christian Oberstolz/Patrick Gruber, are leading in the overall classification of the Viessmann Luge World Cup. Even in the absence of the potential Olympic candidates the winning series of Germany`s squad remained unchallenged. Sonja Wiedemann celebrated the 28th victory in a row but is now "relegated" to the second rank again. "It will be an additional incentive for my girls to regain the lead in the overall ranking", explained Germany`s national coach Thomas Schwab.
Eurosport shows recorded report
Koenigssee (pps) Eurosport will broadcast from the Viessmann Luge World Cup on the artificial track at Koenigssee. On Monday (December 10/23:30 hrs until 01:00 hrs) a 90-minutes long recorded summary of the third event within the Viessmann World Cup will be shown.
Sylke Otto, Zoeggeler und Skel/Woeller winner at Koenigssee in 1999/2000
Koenigssee (pps) Sylke Otto (Germany), Armin Zoeggeler (Italy) und Steffen Skel/Steffen Woeller (Germany) have won the events at Koenigssee. In the 1999/2000 season the first artificial track world-wide had been venue of a Viessmann Luge World Cup. Three-time Olympic champion Georg Hackl (Germany), who won the first World Cup event in Calgary, celebrated his last victory on his "home track" in 1993.
The schedule at Koenigssee
For the exact event schedule please check www.fil-luge.org - start page - organizer info
Wiedemann`s start in the Krombacher Challenge Cup doubtful Königssee (pps) Even though she has qualified, Sonja Wiedemann`s start in the Krombacher Challenge Cup on Friday is doubtful. According to Germany`s national coach Thomas Schwab, the 1999 World Champion might be replaced by Olympic runner-up and World bronze medallist Barbara Niedernhuber.
