Innsbruck-Igls (pps) The Junior World Championships of the International Luge Federation (FIL) this weekend in Innsbruck-Igls, Austria (February 1-2, 2014) boast quite a promising field of entries. Thus, Summer Britcher, Aidan Kelly and Tucker West of the U.S. squad will also be competing at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia (February 7-23). Host Austria will rely on Miriam Kastlunger, winner of the gold medal at the 2012 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), who will celebrate her Olympic première in Sochi. Ulla Zirne, bronze medalist at the 2012 Youth Olympic Games, will represent Latvia first in Innsbruck-Igls and then at the Winter Games in Russia. Sandra Robatscher and Andrea Vötter are competing for Italy in Innsbruck-Igls and later in Sochi.

Additionally nominated to their Olympic teams were Viktoria Demchenko of Russia, daughter of the 2006 Olympic silver medalist Albert Demchenko, and Nina Prock, daughter of Austria’s luge legend Markus Prock, who earned 10 overall victories in the World Cup series.

Favorites at the Junior Worlds are Angelique Fleischer of Germany, local hero Armin Frauscher and in the doubles’ event Tim Brendl-Florian Funk (Germany). They all have already claimed a gold medal at the Junior European Championships in Sigulda, Latvia.