Oberhof (pps) One week (January 31-Feburary 1, 2009) prior to the 41st FIL Luge World Championships in Lake Placid (February 6-8, 2009), the US Luge Association, USA Luge, will determine the last starting places for the senior national team. According to an information by coach Wolfgang Schaedler, Erin Hamlin, fourth-placed in Innsbruck-Igls, as well as the two doubles-teams with Mark Grimmette-Brian Martin and Christian Niccum-Daniel Joye have already punched their tickets to the Worlds.
“Bengt Walden should have a starting place, too”, explained Schaedler. However, it remains to be seen how the recovery of Tony Benshoof proceeds. The fourth-placed of the 2006 Olympic Games underwent a spinal disc surgery at the end of December. Presumably, only a small US luge team will compete at the Viessmann Luge World Cup stops in Oberhof and Altenberg: Erin Hamlin, Bengt Walden and Grimmette-Martin. All other US lugers are currently training on the World Championship track in Lake Placid.
