It has been in winter 2000/01, exactly four years ago that the Luge World Cup had stopped in Unterammergau (GER) for the last time. So now in the little Bavarian town everybody is cheerfully awaiting the Lufe Family to arrive. The unusually warm weather cannot do any harm to the track. “We´ve had people from the FIL visiting and checking the track”, World Cup Coordinator Herbert Wurzer says, “everything is in perfect racing condition. Whatever damage is done by the sun during the day, it is going to be repaired during the night hours.”

In the men´s competition it should be a fight between the usual suspects. Four years ago the same face was seen on top of the podium like in most races last year and in the first race this winter: Toni Blasbichler (ITA). Gerhard Pilz (AUT) finished 5th four years ago, followed by Germany´s local hero Marcus Grausam. He was more than happy about a 6th place four years back, but in the meantime he has won a World Cup and certainly will go for more.

In the doubleseaters event the result will depend on how the teams could catch up with the training advantage with which the Russians Pawel Porschnev/Ivan Lazarev had started into the season. In Lungiarü-Campill the Austrians Beer/Kögl came closest. They already showed that they can handle the track in Unterammergau having been runner ups in 2001.

The shining star in the women´s event, Ekatharina Lavrentjeva (RUS) started her season with new material. She has had some problems to find the perfect settings, but soon she should be ready to claim back her top position. She will fight against a strong Italian team. But last not least, like in Campill, the Austrain Sandra Mariner could squeeze into the top crowd. She also finished second in Unterammergau in 2001.

In the meantime there has been a decision where the cancelled race of Canada will take place. Oberperfuss (AUT), which should have had a World Cup next weekend, will host two races. So the Luge scene will linger in Oberperfuss, the place of the 1996 World Championships, just a little bit longer. The double-World Cup will be held from January 12th to 16th.

Track info:

Length of track: 1100 meters
Altitude of start: 999 meters above sea level
Altitude of finish: 834 meters
Difference: 165 meters
Average descent: 15%

Programme:

Friday, 7.1.2005:
Training runs and Opening Ceremony

Saturday, 8.1.2005:
09:00h: 1st run doubles, 1st run women
10:45h: 2nd run doubles, 2nd run women

Sunday, 9.1.2005:
09:00h: 1st run men
11:00h: 2nd run men