Twenty one nations from three continents have registered to compete in the45th World Championships organized by the International Luge Federation (FIL) in Siguldaon February 14-15, 2015. A total of 106 sleds have been entered, 42 in the men’s singles, 40in the women’s singles and 24 in the doubles. Twelve relay teams will be competing in thefinal race that closes the competition.
The following countries have registered for the 45th FIL World Championships: Austria(AUT), Bulgaria (BUL), Canada (CAN), Croatia (CRO), the Czech Republic (CZE), GreatBritain (GBR), Georgia (GEO), Germany (GER), India (IND), Italy (ITA), Japan (JAP), Korea(KOR), Norway (NOR), Poland (POL), Romania (ROU), Russia (RUS), Switzerland (SUI),Slovakia (SVK), Ukraine (UKR), the United States of America (USA) and host country Latvia(LAT).
Facelift for world championship track in Sigulda"Classic cars need a general overhaul from time to time, too"
The artificial track in Sigulda is looking good after a comprehensive facelift.Well in time for the 45th World Championships organized by the International LugeFederation (FIL), a roof has been built over the full length of the labyrinthine track in Latvia. Anew scoreboard and sound system have also been installed.
"A track like this is like a classic car," says Einars Fogelis, Secretary General of the LatvianOlympic Committee and Vice President of Technical Matters at the FIL, whose first positionas a functionary was as head of the Sigulda track. "Something as old as this needs a generaloverhaul from time to time if it's to continue looking good." The small Baltic country hasinvested significantly in the facelift, although it's not saying how much. But it was definitelyworth it, as any visitor to the track in the run-up to the World Championships will tell you.
Yet that's not really surprising, as the track with the imposing start tower, 16 corners and agood-sized area for events beside the finish house can be considered Latvia's medalsfactory. All four Olympic medals for Latvia at the Sochi Winter Olympics were won on the icetrack. Brothers Andris and Juris Šics took bronze in the doubles, and the luge relay teamfollowed suit. These medals were complemented by silver for Oskars Melbârdis in the fourmanbobsleigh and Martins Dukurs in the skeleton.
Defending Champions are favorites
The defending champions are the favorites. At the 45th World Championshipsorganized by the International Luge Federation (FIL) in Sigulda, Latvia, the Gold medallists ofthe 2013 World Championships in Whistler, Canada, are the most promising contenders forthe four titles. All four compete for Germany, all four won the Olympic titles last year at Sochi,Russia, and all four together, Natalie Geisenberger, Felix Loch and Tobias Wendl-TobiasArlt, won the Olympic debut of the team relay.
Extended previews can be found on the website of the FIL: www.fil-luge.org.
Fourth edition of U23 World Championships
For the fourth time in the history of the FIL World Championships, the under-23s will be fighting for two sets of medals at the 45th FIL World Championships organized bythe International Luge Federation (FIL) in Sigulda on February 14-15, 2015.
The U23 World Championships came into existence at the initiative of the former head of theSports Commission, Sepp Benz of Switzerland. They were first showcased in 2011 at the FILWorld Championships in Cesana, Italy. The medal-winners are decided in a race-in-raceformat within the women’s, men’s and doubles World Championships.
Track record by junior of Ukraine
Even in luge this does not happen every day: Anton Dukach of Ukrainelowered the track record of Winterberg at the Junior World Cup to 52.037 seconds. The oldtrack record (52.047) was held by Germany’s two-time World Champion and 2010 OlympicSilver medallist David Möller.
Finally the Winterberg Junior World Cup race was won by Sebastian Bley of Germany, whoas well secured the overall title. The women’s overall title went to Jessica Tiebel of Germany,who won already Gold at the Junior World and European Championships. In doublesRussia’s Evgeny Evdokimov-Alexey Groshev captured the overall title.
The timetable for the 45th FIL World Championships
The medals in the doubles and women’s singles events at the 45th WorldChampionships conducted by the International Luge Federation (FIL) in Sigulda, Latvia willbe decided on Saturday, February 14, 2015. The following day, February 15, 2015, willdecide the champion in the men’s singles. The weekend will close with the team relay.
Friday (February 13, 2015)
9:30 am (8:30 am CET) Preliminary runs in men’s, women’s and doubles(to determine start positions after the seeded groups)
2:00 pm (1:00 pm CET) Seeded group training
Saturday (February 14, 2015)
10:10 am (9:10 am CET) 1st run, doubles
11:30 am (10:30 am CET) 2nd run, doubles
12:30 pm (11:30 am CET) 1st run, women’s singles
2:15 pm (1:15 pm CET) 2nd run, women’s singles
Sunday (February 15, 2015)
10:10 am (9:10 am CET) 1st run, men’s singles
12:10 pm (11:10 am CET) 2nd run, men’s singles
2:00 pm (1:00 pm CET) Team relay
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