“That would be irresponsible”
Too dangerous: the start of the Toboggan World Cup canceled
November 15, 2025 – 2:44 p.mReading time: 1 min.
Despite renovations worth millions in Innsbruck, the world association considers the risk to be too high. Now the competition starts in Germany instead.
The start of the Toboggan World Cup will not take place in Igls, Austria, as planned. The ice track was not approved by the world association FIL – instead the season starts in Winterberg.
According to FIL, the lower section of the railway in Igls, which was modernized for around 30 million euros, does not meet the technical requirements despite rework. Curves 13 and 14 in particular are still considered too dangerous. Last week, bobsleigh and skeleton athletes had already classified the risk as too high.
Austrian head coach Christian Eigentler said: “We will not expose our athletes to such a high risk of injury, that would be irresponsible.” The cancellation represents a serious setback for the Austrian team. “We are losing the home World Cup and our most important training facility in an Olympic season. This is a clear competitive disadvantage for us,” said Eigentler.
Association president Markus Prock also expressed clear criticism: “The Igler ice track was modified to secure World Cup status for bobsleigh and skeleton and is now not accessible to tobogganers. There is a complete lack of understanding, especially since a lot of money is involved.” He called for another renovation and expects those responsible to take prompt action.
The Toboggan World Cup now begins on the weekend of December 5th to 7th in Winterberg in the Sauerland region.