Austria's artificial track luge athletes prepare for the new season

Innsbruck (FIL/25 Aug 2023) Austria's luge athletes are preparing for the new winter season in two ten-week blocks in Innsbruck and the surrounding area. In addition to general athletic training, the focus will be on starting technique and dynamics. A change of scenery like the trip to Lake Garda in Italy or the training camp at Lake Faak in Austria at the end of July brought some color into the gray everyday life. In five weeks, the team will be back on the ice track.

"We are on a good way to build up our form, the results of the performance tests so far have been satisfactory. Now we have to improve in some areas and continue the athletic training as well as the work in the specific area with focus and consistency", says ÖRV head coach Christian Eigentler.

Lisa Schulte, who had to undergo shoulder surgery in mid-May, is back in the team training, as well as Lara Kipp and Fabio Zauser, who have completed their basic military service with the Austrian Armed Forces. In addition to Zauser, who finished second in the Junior European Championships, Noah Kallan from Salzburg, who finished third in the overall Junior World Cup, is doing part of his pre-season training with the pros for the first time. Barbara Allmaier, who already had a taste of the World Cup last season and successfully completed her A-levels this year, will complete the entire preparation and will be a fixed starter in the EBERSPÄCHER World Cup for the coming season.

Since last week the team of ÖRV Head Coach Christian Eigentler is back on the ice, even if only on the flat and in the hall, where the starts will be simulated and perfected. After that, the focus will be back on training at the start facility. On Saturday, August 26, part of the team will travel to the international start competition at Gitschberg in Meransen.

"Compared to last year, when we were unable to complete the full preparation due to Riccardo's myocarditis, this year is going great. We are very much looking forward to the competition in Meransen, the Italian doubles is one of the best starters in the field, we are curious to see where we stand", says Juri Gatt.

Madeleine Egle, two-time Olympic medalist in the team relay, adds: "The start competition in Meransen has a tradition and will certainly be interesting, but one should not overestimate the comparison. At the moment the intensity is very high for us, we are coming out of full training, and in terms of dynamics we are certainly not at our best yet. But the fact that we will be able to compete not only with our teammates, but also with international competition, makes the trip to South Tyrol all the more attractive.

In September, the final touches will be made, then the Austrian luge aces will travel to Lillehammer (NOR), where the track training will start on October 3. Until the start of the season in Lake Placid (USA) on November 29, further training weeks are scheduled in Sigulda (LAT), on the World Championship track in Altenberg (GER), in Innsbruck-Igls and in Oberhof (GER).

Photos: ÖRV