Sochi (pps) It is only its’ unpredictability that is predictable. On paper, Germany should have won every single Team Relay event of the International Luge Federation (FIL). But prior to the Olympic première of the innovative discipline at the Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, the reality differs from the paper form. The German national team only claimed four top podium finishes at the six Viessmann Team Relay World Cup events presented by BMW. At the 45th European Luge Championships in Sigulda, Latvia, the German B team only earned a sixth place finish. >br>
“Well, in the Team Relay you have three more chances to make mistakes – at the start, in the track and striking the touch pad,” World Champion Natalie Geisenberger vividly explains the difficulties in the Team Relay event that will step into the Olympic limelight on February 13 (start at 20:15 hrs/17:15 hrs CET). The leading actors come from 13 different federations and at least half of them, seven teams, can hope to have a say when the medals are handed out. >br>
In the Olympic season six national federations have claimed a podium finish. Italy, for instance, claimed the top spot in Winterberg (GER), while Russia won the competition in Altenberg (GER). At the 45th European Championships in Latvia, Russia won the title whereas Latvia, so far without a podium finish in the World Cup series, earned the silver medal in front of a home crowd in Sigulda. The U.S. team and Austria are both hoping for a medal in Sochi. While the U.S.A. earned second place finishes in Winterberg (GER) and Park City (USA), Austria posted three third place results (Winterberg, Whistler and Park City). >br>
So far, Team Relay medals were awarded at four FIL Luge Championships: Germany always won the title while the silver and bronze medals were claimed by five different federations. Since the winter of 2010-2011, the Team Relay event is part of the program in the Viessmann Luge World Cup series. Of the past 24 Team Relay competitions, Germany won 18 editions, Italy earned three top podium finishes and the team of Olympic host Russia posted a victory on three occasions. >br>
The Canadian team celebrated its only success in the winter of 2011-2012, at the season opener in Innsbruck-Igls. However, they claimed eight additional podium finishes, among them seven second place results. It is noteworthy that, over the years, head coach Wolfgang Staudinger has always put his confidence in the same protagonists: Alex Gough, Sam Edney and the doubles team of Tristan Walker-Justin Snith. >br>