Nagano (pps) “That’s nonsense.” This is how Germany’s national coach Thomas Schwab referred to the fears of two-time Olympic champion Sylke Otto (Germany) that she may not be nominated for the 2007 World Championships in Igls (Austria) after having slid to a disappointing 21 st place at the Viessmann Luge World Cup in Calgary. “I’m not that merciless. Everybody could see that Sylke was in for a top position, after all she clocked the fastest time in the first run. She was simply blown away by the wind in the second.”

This is especially bitter since this season will be Otto’s last. And it’s not going according to her plans. Prior to the 4 th event of the Viessmann Luge World Cup in Nagano, Japan, the four-time World champion (2000, 2001, 2003, 2005) holds fourth position in the overall rankings with 165 points after coming fourth in Cesana, runner-up in Calgary and taking the disappointing 21 st place in Calgary. Well ahead of Sylke Otto are her team- mates Silke Kraushaar-Pielach (285), Tatjana Huefner (230) and Anke Wischnewski (225).

Canadian Regan Lauscher, who achieved a fourth place on her home track in Calgary, changed her decision and will travel to Japan after all. Erin Hamlin and Ashley Hayden, who took a fourth place at the 2005 World Championships, will represent the US-colours in Nagano.