Winterberg: Start Levels for Mens and Womens reduced

Winterberg (RWH) Fast reaction of the organizers of the Viessmann Luge World Cup in Winterberg. Due to security reasons, the the start heights for Men´s and Women´s singles have been be reduced. Men’s race will start from Women’s-start, Women will start from Doubles-start and the double-seater discipline is carried out from the double-seater start height with limited track preparation. This decision was published by Christian Eigentler, the Technical Director of the Internationale Luge Federation (FIL), in a Press Conference. “The security of our athletes has the highest priority for the FIL”, Eigentler said.

Before this, the Austrian team, all German doubles teams and World Champion Roman Repilov have decided not to compete in the Viessmann World Cup race in Winterberg this weekend (February 22/23, 2020) due to concerns about safety. “Based on the condition of the track, the health risks are too high,” was the explanation given by the German athletes for their unanimous decision to sit out the event. “Track conditions have not been good enough for a World Cup race”, the Austrian Federation quoted Head coach René Friedl in a press release.

As a result, the decision as to who will take the overall win – the World Champions Toni Eggert/Sascha Benecken (772 points) or the two-time Olympic Champions Tobias Wendl/Tobias Arlt (762) – will not be made until the season finale in Königssee on 29 February 2020. Andris Sics/Juris Sics of Latvia, currently third with 611 points, still only have a theoretical chance of victory, even if they win in Winterberg.  The decision has also put an end to Austria’s and Germany’s appearance in the team relay on Sunday.