All Joska cups awarded in the Viessmann World Cup

Winterberg (RWH) All Joska cups for the overall winners of the Viessmann World Cup have already been handed out. The final results in the men’s and women’s events have already been decided ahead of the season finale at the 9th Viessmann World Cup in Winterberg, Germany, this weekend (February 20-21, 2016). And even the mathematical chance of victory for another pairing in doubles proves deceptive upon closer inspection.

The Olympic and three-time World Champions Tobias Wendl/Tobias Arlt from Germany have a 90-point advantage over freshly crowned European Champions Toni Eggert/Sascha Benecken (GER) approaching the 12th and final race of the season. However, as only 24 doubles pairings are allowed to start in the Viessmann World Cup, and Wendl/Arlt do not have to compete in qualifying as they are members of the seeded group, the Bavarian duo only have to finish last to score 17 points to win the overall title. Or, as Tobias Wendl jokingly put it: "We could slide down on a rubbish bag."

Of course Wendl/Arlt will take their sled onto the ice track as normal and would much prefer to round off the season with a final victory, especially in view of the fact that Winterberg is set to host the World Championships in 2019. There will also be no showboating from their teammates and training partners Natalie Geisenberger and Felix Loch. Both were confirmed as overall winners in Altenberg last weekend, one (Natalie Geisenberger) for the fourth time, the other (Felix Loch) for the fifth time in a row, but there is still plenty to look forward to in the battle for the podium positions in the overall standings of their respective events.

The Viessmann Team Relay World Cup presented by BMW has also been decided, with Germany securing overall victory for the sixth time since the event made its debut. However, the other two podium positions are still up for grabs.

World Cup press centre in the Bürger- und Stadthaus

Winterberg (RWH) In a change from last year, the press centre for the Viessmann Luge World Cup and Viessmann Team Relay World Cup presented by BMW will return to the Bürger- und Stadthaus (Fichtenweg 10, D-59955 Winterberg).

Press conference on Friday with FIL President Josef Fendt

Winterberg (RWH) The President of the International Luge Federation (FIL), Josef Fendt from Berchtesgaden, will be a guest at the opening press conference of the Viessmann Luge World Cup and Viessmann Team Relay World Cup presented by BMW.

The press conference on Friday (February 19, 2016 / 12:30) will be held in the press centre in the Bürger- und Stadthaus and will also feature German coach Norbert Loch, athletes from the German national team, the doubles pairing of Robin Geueke and David Gamm from BSC Winterberg, the Swiss World Sprint Champion Martina Kocher, organizers from the host club (Managing Director of the VELTINS-EisArena, Rainer Nittel, and Hans-Jürgen Köhne, Organisation Manager), and the Mayor of Winterberg, Werner Eickler.

First trial ahead of the 48th FIL World Championships in 2019

Winterberg (RWH) The artificial ice track on the Kappe mountain in Winterberg is set to host the Viessmann Luge World Cup for the 26th time as the winter 2015/2016 season draws to a close.

It will also double as a trial run for the 48th International Luge Federation (FIL) World Championships in 2019, which were awarded to Winterberg at the 63rd FIL Conference in PyeongChang, Korea, which is due to host the Winter Olympics in 2018.

The serpentine ice track in Hochsauerland, which previously hosted the FIL World Championships in 1989 and 1991, saw off competition from Lake Placid (USA) and Sochi (RUS). This was due in no small part to the personal efforts of Hans-Jürgen Köhne, chairman of the host club BRC Hallenberg. The 50-year-old made a crucial contribution to the successful outcome of the application thanks to his contacts as Vice Chairman of the Commission for Youth/Development of the International Luge Federation (FIL).

Talented drivers required in the media area

Winterberg (RWH) Talented drivers of a different kind are required on Saturday. Media representatives are invited to take part in a kart race in the Kartfun-Arena in Winterberg. They can register for the event in the press centre.

13 nations to attend preliminary homologation in PyeongChang

PyeongChang (RWH) A total of 13 nations are set to attend the preliminary homologation of the future Olympic track in PyeongChang, Korea. In addition to host country Korea, 12 nations will each send one athlete to test the new facility at the behest of the two Vice Presidents of the International Luge Federation (FIL), Claire DelNegro (USA) and Einars Fogelis (LAT).

Following completion of the artificial ice track for the 2018 Winter Olympics, the first trial runs will be carried out during preliminary homologation (February 29 to March 8, 2016). The world federation has therefore invited athletes of different performance levels to join in.

Tatiana Ivanova (RUS), Alex Gough (CAN), Gry Martine Mostue (NOR) and Olena Stetskiv (UKR) were selected from the women’s event. The men will be Chris Mazdzer (USA), Felix Loch (GER), Valentin Cretu (ROU) and Dominik Fischnaller (ITA). Peter Penz/Georg Fischler (AUT), Andris Sic/Juris Sics (AUT), Jakub Simonak/Marek Solcansky (SVK) and Lukas Broz/Antonin Broz (CZE) will test the future Olympic track on behalf of the doubles teams.

Winterberg timetable

Date Discipline Local time

20 Feb 2016 1st run, women’s singles 08:30

2nd run, women’s singles 09:50

1st run, doubles 11:40

2nd run, doubles 13:00

21 Feb 2016 1st run, men’s singles 10:10

2nd run, men’s singles 12:05

Team relay 13:55

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only