At the start of the 2020/2021 World Cup season, former natural track athlete Christina Götschl (AUT) took over as head coach of the international FIL Group. In an interview, the Styrian described her role as "both coach and mother" to the athletes in the FIL Group, many of whom are away from home for several months at a time. Now, the 34-year-old has become a mother for the first time, giving birth to her daughter Valentina on 14 September.

Baby Valentina

Berchtesgaden (FIL/18 October 2024) FIL: After four years as the head coach of the FIL Group, your focus is now understandably on baby Valentina. How do you sum up your time as group coach?

Christina Götschl: "I’m very happy with how things have gone. If we look at the results from last season, we consistently finished in the top 10 – which is our goal. The athletes in the FIL Group now train year-round and aim to be competitive at the front of the pack in winter. It’s clear that the cooperation between athletes, national federations, and the FIL is working."

Is there a particular moment that stands out in your memory?

Christina Götschl: "There were many funny and memorable moments. However, one episode from last year comes to mind. There was a medical emergency with one of the athletes, completely unrelated to the luge track. It just shows that a coach never really has ‘time off’; you have to be prepared for everything – and the responsibility in this role is, of course, huge."

Where do you see the FIL Group in five years?

Christina Götschl: "We’re on the right way. But it would be great to bring more athletes and nations into the FIL Group, such as Finland, Sweden, etc. These are countries that used to be very strong in the natural track luge World Cup. We need to support their youth development, just as it’s happening successfully with the USA and Czech Republic. These are great examples where the national federations are doing a lot."

How did the FIL Group react to the birth of your daughter?

Christina Götschl: "The FIL Group was, of course, very happy for me. I’ll be staying at home with my daughter for the next two years – with mixed feelings. I’ll certainly attend a few races in person during the winter. The FIL Group is in excellent hands; Jack Leslie (NZL) was already on board as assistant coach last season. Jack is a luge legend, having won the Junior World Cup (2015/2016, ed.), and he’s undoubtedly a great asset to the natural track luge sport."

The entire luge family wishes Christina Götschl, Ante, and Valentina all the best and looks forward to seeing them on the luge track again.