Because the world association has adjusted the regulations, the sleds have to be rebuilt – to the chagrin of luge nations like Germany, who are used to success.
Seven pages of the International Luge Regulations for Artificial Track (IRO) describe every detail about the sleds on which World Cup points and titles are at stake every winter in the world’s ice canals. Seven pages only out of 120.
But what the world luge federation FIL changed at its congress in Hall in Tirol in June of this year does not amount to a revolution. But it will change the coming tobogganing winter enormously.
Deeper, wider – easier to master?
“Unit sledge” is the new hate word used by German tobogganists. The FIL would like to make the sport of tobogganing more exciting – and those who suffer are the runner cracks from the German bobsleigh and sled sports association BSD. The sleds are getting deeper, the distance between the runners wider – the goal of the FIL is better steerability.
“I think the reason is that supposedly weaker nations can push themselves more to the limit,” says Tobias Wendl from the German “Rodel-Tobis” Wendl/Arlt. The field of drivers will probably move closer together, in the spirit of the FIL.
German tobogganists lose technological lead
Another side aspect: The development costs decrease. The fact that the toboggan nation of Germany has been so strong for decades is also due to the technological lead provided by strong partners such as the Institute for Research and Development of Sports Equipment (FES) or the inventors at engine manufacturer BMW. This lead will probably shrink as well.
“We have already been restricted there,” says Wendl, also in terms of “the aerodynamic components. This makes everything fairer.” Since the changes were announced, the German toboggan teams have been tinkering. With the six-time Olympic champions Wendl/Arlt, however, the effort is still limited.
Wendl/Arlt only have to rebuild minimally
“Thank God we didn’t have to make the big changes to the device like other athletes, because we can use our shell, for example,” says Tobias Wendl: “We only have to do a few adjustments.”
Others, such as the long-term competitors Sascha Benecken/Toni Eggert, were hit harder by the new FIL specifications: almost the entire sled had to be rebuilt for the new season. The Thuringia duo wanted to stop because the rule changes were introduced by the world association at such short notice. Now they’re both competing with a “now more than ever” mentality.
Source: BR24 Sport 10/10/2022 – 6:30 p.m
