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Adjustment of the starting order based on the experiences of the past season

Lake Placid in Summer

Lake Placid (FIL/17 June 2024) During the 72nd Congress of the International Luge Federation (FIL) on June 15, 2024 in Lake Placid (USA), an important change to the International Luge Regulations (IRO) was decided, which affects the starting order at EBERSPAECHER Luge World Cups on artificial track. This change, which affects paragraph 3, point 6.1.1 of the IRO, was adopted based on the positive experiences of the weather-related changes to the starting order in the 2023/2024 season.

The modified starting order for the singles sleds is as follows:

In the first heat, the 5th-placed sled from the Nations Cup will start first. The order continues in such a way that the first-placed sled from the preliminary run receives starting number 5. Starting with bib number 6, the seeded group will follow by the draw, starting with group placed 7 to 12, followed by the group 1 to 6 placed. The remaining sleds will then start, starting with the 6th-placed sled from the preliminary run (Nations Cup) and continuing to the end.

The following applies to the doubles:

Zack DiGregorio and Sean Hollander

In the first run, the third placed double from the Nation's Cup will be the first sled to start, followed by the others, so that the first placed sled from the preliminary run will receive the number 3. Starting with number 4, the seeded groups follow by drawn order, with seeded groups 7 to 12 starting first, followed by 1 to 6. The remaining sleds follow in order, starting with the fourth-placed doubles team from the Nations' Cup and ending with the last team.

FIL Sport Director Matthias Böhmer explained and commented on the change: “The changed starting order for the last World Cups of the 2023/2024 season have proven itself and will be retained in the future. This means that the fastest lugers in the Nations Cup will start first in the World Cup, followed by the seeded group, and the slower Nations Cup starters will finish. In the second run of the World Cup, the 20 fastest lugers will start in reverse order and in doubles the 18 fastest sleds from the first run. This adjustment is aimed at making the competition conditions fairer and increasing the excitement for spectators and participants. The FIL is looking forward to implementing these changes in the coming season and observing the positive effects on the competition dynamics.”