World Cup News

Hungerzell, Germany- Practice for the IGSA World Championships got underway today under hot, humid weather conditions.  The track begins with a series of slower technical turns before heading into a long, fast straightaway where speeds in the 100 km/h rrange were being achieved by the top riders.  At the end of the fast straight is the Risch Carousel that requires heavy braking before the sweeping turn of more than 180 degrees.  This corner is where many races will be won and lost on Saturday.

 

Thursday will begin with another practice session followed by the first qualifying run in the afternoon.  The course is very challenging and qualifying should prove to be very interesting.

 

2009 and 2002 IGSA World Series Champions Yvon Labarthe and Pete Eliot respectively were quickest today in Street Luge practice in Hungerzell, Germany. There were a couple accidents throughout the day but nobody was injured in today’s Street Luge and Classic Luge sessions.

Riders praised the new course for its extremely smooth pavement which is great for fast late braking and grip while turning. On the long straight before the final Risch Corner Malaysian Abdil Madzan clocked a speed 101 km/h on his personal GPS.

A notable absence form the field today was 2008 World Champion and Germany native Matthias Lang who was injured at the Maryhill World Cup event and had decided not to race.

The Luge field is extremely strong with many international riders such as Dutchman Edgar DeWit, British riders William Stephenson and Pete Eliot, American Chris McBride, Canadians Kolby Parks and William Condon, Germans Jochiam Lang and Muller, Austrians Michael Serek and George Klotzberg.               

Kolby Parks in the technical upeer section of the Almabtrieb course.  Photo Bob Ozman