Calgary (pps) Wolfgang Staudinger, head coach of the Canadian Luge Association, received the “Petro-Canada Award for Coaching Excellence”. Staudinger, who was one of nine coaches recognized across Canada with the honor, has guided Canadian luge athletes from participants on the start line into medal contenders. He was recruited from Germany to control the reigns as head coach of the national luge squad in 2007. “Canadian luge athletes have rewritten the history books over the past five years and are now sliding to the international podium at all levels in the sport - thanks in large part to the leadership of Wolfgang and our committed high-performance staff,” said Tim Farstad, Executive Director of the Canadian Luge Association. He added that Staudinger has helped Alex Gough develop into one of the world’s best sliders. “While we recognize more work needs to be done to achieve our ultimate goal of winning the nation’s first-ever Olympic medal in luge, we applaud Wolfgang for his efforts and this very deserving award.” Under Staudinger’s leadership, Canadian luge athletes have claimed eight individual World Cup medals, including two gold, and Canada’s first World Championship women’s singles medal. The Canadian relay team also has eight team medals - including two gold - to its credit. The Team Relay Event will be added to the Olympic lineup. The “Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award” recognizes coaches whose athletes excelled at the World Championships, Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as at the Special Olympics.