Innsbruck-Igls (pps) The FIL Team Relay has just become an integral part of the competition programme of the International Luge Federation, FIL, and now the next innovation is just around the corner. The idea of an innovative “sprint race”, put forward by FIL Athletes’ Representative Jeff Christie of Canada will already be put to the test at the Viessmann Luge World Cup final in Sigulda (Feburary 16-17, 2008), though not as part of the official programme. This is what Sepp Benz (Switzerland), Deputy Chairman of the FIL Sport Commission, announced at the athletes’ meeting in Innsbruck-Igls in front of 70 lugers.

According to Christie’s proposal, a sprint race will combine the start gate with a reaction start and the Team Relay’s finish touch pad. The idea of this sprint race had been born during a meeting of all Athletes’ Representatives held in Sigulda, Latvia, last year. The race will consist of only one run in each of the disciplines women, men and double-seater.