Berchtesgaden (pps) The International Luge Federation, FIL, further enhances the importance of its youngest innovation: “The widely accepted Team Relay event will now officially receive World Cup status,” explained FIL President Josef Fendt. In the upcoming season, six Team Relay events will be carried out as part of the Viessmann Luge World Cup series in Igls (Austria),Winterberg, Koenigssee, Oberhof and Altenberg (all in Germany) as well as in Sigulda (Latvia). Additionally, the Team Relay will be part of the official program at the 42nd FIL Luge World Championships in Cesana, Italy. In contrast, the Challenge Cup has been cancelled without substitution. Fendt: “However, we will not save on the prize money that was set aside for the Challenge Cup – this prize money will now be distributed at the Team Relay events.” The “upgrading” of the Team Relay event was made possible after positive discussions with the FIL marketing agencies with regard to the different sponsor’s rights. “This is why I would like to express my gratitude towards the agencies Infront and RGS”, Fendt said. Additionally, this „upgrading” is also a clear signal towards the International Olympic Committee, IOC. “We have already filed the respective application so that the new discipline will hopefully be officially recognized and part of the program at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi”, Fendt explained. The IOC ProgramC ommission will address the FIL application; afterwards the IOC Executive Board will take a decision in November. “We already received a favorable reaction,” Fendt said prudently optimistic.
