Interview Norbert Loch: "Leading a team is my life!"

Berchtesgaden (FIL/26. Feb.2024) On the occasion of the 2024 FIL Luge World Championships in Altenberg, Germany, the change at the top of the German luge team was announced. At the end of the current season, long-time German national head coach Norbert Loch will hand over the reins to his 46-year-old successor, Olympic Champion Patric Leitner.

The team of Norbert Loch, who has led the German luge team since 2008, won its 97th World Championship medal and 44th gold at the farewell event. Loch's team won a total of 22 Olympic medals (13 gold, five silver and four bronze).

We spoke with the outgoing head coach of Team Germany before the last Luge World Cup event in Sigulda:

Mr. Loch, congratulations on an impressively successful career as head coach of the German luge team. What is your predominant feeling? Nostalgia or excitement for something new?

Norbert Loch: "Both - there is joy, but also a certain melancholy. After 16 years as head coach, 16 years as national coach and eight years as youth coach, I have to say: This is my life! It's just fun! Whether you're in charge of the German national team, leading a youth team or working with kids, I've always had a lot of fun. This is my life, leading a team, coaching athletes, experiencing highs and lows, developing sleds and much more. It's my life, my joy and my fun, so of course there is a feeling of melancholy when you leave this job. But there is also joy, because these have been very, very wonderful years, with all the highs and all the lows, all the suffering. But the highs and the good things outweighed the bad, and it's not just the medals and the successes, but first of all the joy of working with people. That's over now.

What's next for you after the season? We can't really imagine you as a retiree...

Norbert Loch: "First of all I will support my colleague and successor Patric Leitner, who is unfortunately injured. I want to help him and stand by his side. I don't have to tell him what to do. He should and will go his own way, but I will be at his side administratively and help him prepare for next season. Patric will then be responsible for the next season.

But the main part of my future work will be to take over the base management in Berchtesgaden and the management for bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton".

When will this change officially take place?

Norbert Loch: "We have made preparations with the board to start work at the base in late spring. The official handover could take place at the end of May. The coaches on site in Berchtesgaden, in the youth and junior areas, also need a national base management, which is important. This is already in place at all other bases. We hope to be able to start with the renovation of our track in Königssee and reopen it soon. That is also part of it. That has to be prepared, but the coaches at the base also need support, especially in the organizational area.

You were the head of the German coaching team for 16 years. How has the sport of luge changed during this time and what were your greatest challenges?

Norbert Loch: "A lot has changed in terms of organization and competition design. The sport has become very professional. We have professional, international luge competitions at the highest level on tracks all over the world. Things have become faster and more professional in the areas of athletics, starts, track dynamics and athlete training. Sled technology has come a long way in recent years. We have longer tracks, longer runners. We have completely redesigned double-seaters, we are constantly setting new track records, the ice is evolving, the ice masters have developed extremely, the profiling of the tracks has become much better in the last 10 or 15 years. That's all crucial.

We have been producing top athletes for the last 16 years. The start has become even more important. There is a lot of emphasis on training young athletes, and you can see that in other nations as well. There is also an extreme development in the scientific support of all nations. If you look at the number of staff some nations have now, Latvia, Austria, USA and Germany, you can see what has changed over the years...".

You and your athletes have been the measure of all things in terms of medals. Is there a sporting event that stands out in your mind?

Norbert Loch: "The World Championships in Königssee were tremendous. It was professionally organized. We had the Sprint World Cup there for the first time. Overall, it was a very, very great event, with great side events and a great atmosphere.

The 2022 Winter Olympics in China came as a surprise to me. We were very divided beforehand, but the Chinese organized it really well. It was a great event, unfortunately without spectators.

And last but not least, the 2023 World Championships in Oberhof. It was outstanding for me. Those are great memories that will stay with me."

Do you have a favorite World Cup venue and/or a favorite track that you will miss in the future?

Norbert Loch: "I would like to highlight the World Cup events in Sigulda. This nation puts on incredible events with relatively few resources. Everything is perfectly organized there. There are an incredible number of spectators, and the atmosphere is sensational. I have to say that the Latvian association does a great job. I have come to appreciate Sigulda and I find it incredibly nice to ride there. The country has developed really well and the World Cups are well organized. It's a perfect place for my last World Cup."

Is there any particular advice you would give your successor Patric Leitner?

Norbert Loch: "Yes, there is: go your own way. Follow your own style and try to implement what you've learned as an athlete from various coaches with your own head!"

What significance does the artificial ice track at Königssee and its reconstruction have for your new task?

Norbert Loch: "My main task is not the rink at Königssee, but I will try to play my part here too. We absolutely need the track as a sports facility for young athletes. We have to keep our athletes on the track. It's not quite so difficult in bobsleigh, as these are adults who can also travel themselves. But the track at Königssee is sorely lacking, especially for young luge and skeleton athletes. I would also like to help and support coaches and trainers here.

Not only is the artificial ice track at Königssee waiting to be rebuilt, the Olympic track for 2026 is still being planned - how do you see the future prospects for luge and sledding in general?

Norbert Loch: "I am absolutely positive about the future prospects for sledging. There are so many great tracks with ever-improving infrastructure. Let's take Lake Placid for example. They make the greatest effort there, there is a great track and a super professional starting facility. A fantastic event building has been erected around the course. I think that Lake Placid should have a world championship as soon as possible. That is important!

There are attractive tracks and sports facilities in Asia, North America and Europe. These should definitely be used. We are well on the way to shaping the issue of sustainability with sustainable energy generation and the efficient planning of our travel routes. There are many interesting ideas here for a positive future. Sport has become so interesting, the competition between nations is exciting. You can present our sport so attractively on television. I believe that because we have so many interesting sports venues, our sport has a future.

From my point of view, it is essential that another lift is built in Cortina - this is immensely important for our South Tyrolean friends. They need this lift and it fits perfectly into the Alpine region, with Igls, Königssee, St. Moritz and La Plagne! But then it's also good. We should make full use of our existing tracks. Then we will have attractive competitions in the future and can offer great sport. I'm not worried about the future of skating."

Your wife Maria and you are passionate campers and travel with your motorhome every summer. Have you already planned a longer trip for your actual retirement?

Norbert Loch: "I've already booked the ferry to Greece. Of course, we'll be going back to Greece for three weeks at the end of August. Apart from that, Maria and I want to treat ourselves to a few nice weekends and time off."

Thank you very much for the interview!