Oberhof (pps) After the successful 2007 FIL Luge World Championships in Innsbruck-Igls, luge enthusiasts can be looking forward to the next highlight. The 40th title championships of the International Luge Federation, FIL, promise to exceed all expectations. The organisers reckon with a large number of spectators – similar to the 1973 and 1985 World Championships when tens of thousands of luge fans lined the artificially-iced track. The costs to modernise and to update the track to the latest state of technology amounted to four million Euros. Oberhof is well prepared to turn the 40th FIL Luge World Championships on January 25-27, 2008 into a veritable festival. “We’re ready and we’re waiting feverishly for the first run”, commented OC President Bernd Roßmann.

Argentina, Croatia, Hungary, Sweden and Venezuela have cancelled their participation so that now, a total of 21 nations have entered the Worlds: Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Moldavia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Ukraine and USA. A total of 42 men, 36 women and 24 doubles’ teams will compete in Oberhof.

The solemn victory ceremonies and the draws will be carried out at the Oberhof spa gardens and health park on the evenings of January 25 and 26. On the last day of the World Championships, the flower and victory ceremonies will be carried out directly at the track. First highlight is the opening ceremony at the Oberhof spa gardens and health park on Thursday (January 24, 2008 at 20:00 hrs).