Berchtesgaden (pps) The German federal coach Thomas Schwab is setting the course for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada. Only two women aged above 30 will be eligible to start at the first Viessmann World Cups of the post-Olympic season. With this move, Schwab, whose team has been unbeaten since the Viessmann World Cup on November 29, 1997, intends to give a chance to young talents.

This age limit could affect the 37 years old Sylke Otto, 2002 and 2006 Olympic Champion, the 35 years old Silke Kraushaar-Pielach, 1998 Olympic Champion, 2002 Olympic bronze medalist and 2006 Olympic silver medalist or the 32 years old Barbara Niedernhuber, 1998 and 2002 Olympic silver medalist.

Not affected by the age limit are the Olympic bronze medalist Tatjana Hüfner, Anja Wischnewski, who won bronze at the 2005 World Championships, Anja Eberhardt, 2003 Junior World Champion, Natalie Geisenberger, 2004 and 2006 Junior World Champion as well as Corinna Martini, two-time Junior World Championships medalist.