(es) - With Christian Schatz and Gerhard Mühlbacher there were two more natural track lugers who retired at the end of the season. The successful Austrian Doubles celebrated its last competition at the World Cup finals in Vatra Dornej (ROU) – and it was an exciting final: Between the first and the second curve one part of the sled broke down – and there was just one single competition run. Schatz could hardly hang on the sled and could no longer impose pressure upon the steering. “Such an accident has never happened to us before. Our sled gave up too early,” Mühlbacher says about their last common performance. “You can hardly handle a Doubles sled on your own. I only concentrated on reaching the finish area.” Giving in was no alternative – especially not in their last run. Giving in was no possibility anytime. Not even at their crash at the World Championships in Canada. “We started into this race as the reigning champions in Overall World Cup and had just become World Champions in the team event. Then we hit the boards in the last curve and crashed over the finish line – and still as second. After a quick medical check we decided to start also in the second run and we even fetched the bronze medal”, Schatz/Mühlbacher remember one of their most turbulent races in their career: “But the real surprise was caused by the medical check in Austria”. Broken vertebra for Mühlbacher and fracture of the navicular bone in the ankle for Schatz – an injury that affected them for more than one year’s time. Despite all that the both natural track lugers look back on eight successful common years: two times winner in Overall World Cup, two times third in Overall World Cup as well as Gold, Silver and Bronze at World Championships, two times Silver and Bronze at European Championships and many victories and second and third places in World Cup. The reason for them to retire right now: “At the age of 37 and after so many successes it’s now a good point in time to retire from active sports”, Mühlbacher explains their decision. “Racing on this level is learning for life and I don’t want to miss one single moment.” “It’s also a lack of time”, Schatz adds. They both want to spend more time with their families. Mühlbacher: “This winter I’ll be on parental leave and take care of my daughter Laura but I’m also sure I’ll be at some races this winter. I think I’ll keep in touch with natural track luge – in which way will be seen.”