Commissions meet in Salzburg from March 30 to April 1

Salzburg (FIL/03 April 2023) From Thursday, March 30, to Saturday, April 1, 2023, the FIL Expert Commissions met in Sankt Leonhard near Salzburg (AUT). Thinking outside the box and to develop creative ideas for the future of the sport of luge was one of the goals of the commissions. The strategic plan of the FIL "SLIDE 2026" was discussed and visions for the future were developed. The commissions met for the first time in their new configurations.

In the Sport Commission Artificial Track, the Commission chairs, FIL Vice President Sport Claire DelNegro (USA) and Sport Director Maria-Luise Rainer (ITA) led the deliberations and discussions on the review of the 2022/23 season and the new sport calendar for the coming winter. Bids for the organization of FIL Championships were discussed as well as the integration of the women's doubles into the Team Relay Event. Another topic was the assignment of judges for the 2023/24 season.

The Chairman of the Technical Commission Artificial Track, FIL Vice President Technical Armin Zöggeler (ITA) and Technical Director Andris Sics (LAT) chaired the meetings of the Technical Commission. In addition to the review of the past season, the main topics on the agenda were the measurement of the current doubles’ runners, the technology of the double sleds and the GTS luge shoes. The introduction of uniform  sleds with the same driving dynamics for all classes under the project management of the FIL was discussed as well as the review of further technical aspects of the current luge equipment and weight management with the aim of increasing the attractiveness of the sport, simplifying procurement and reducing costs.

The Natural Track Commission met under the leadership of Natural Track Vice-President Sorin Buta (ROU) and Sport Director Andreas Castiglioni (ITA). In addition to a review of the season, the topics discussed included the new World Cup calendar, the bid to host FIL-Championships, the increase in the number of World Cup events from six to eight per season, as well as the future and development of natural track luge and the integration of public sledding. The effects of the recent changes in the IRO were discussed, and the “Material Working Group” presented a new sled that is optimally suited for snow and ice and is easy to build.

All in all, an extensive agenda was worked through and many concrete proposals for decisions by the FIL Presidium were developed.