Innsbruck (pps) Rene Friedl, European Luge Champion in 1992, will be Austrian head coach from July 1 on. With Friedl and Robert Manzenreiter, the Austrian luge federation (ÖRV) now contracts two full time coaches. „We aim at regaining our former strength with the help of German thoroughness and precision“, explains Friedl Ludescher, the President of ÖRV, who was not entirely satisfied with the past two seasons.

„For me it is a great honor to lead Austria into the Olympic season“, said Friedl, who signed a two-year contract with an option of another two years until the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Friedl continued: „I am joining the Austrian federation with its rather familiar atmosphere coming from a big, tightly organized German federation. This will certainly require some reorientation. I am convinced, however, that we will be able to move forward with the Olympics in view".

After the end of his athletic career in 1994, Friedl attended a study course for coaches at the sports acedemy in Köln, Germany. He last worked as coach of the German B team as well as at the track in Winterberg.