LugeTobogganing - Koenigssee
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The next weekend, the famous German basin Koenigssee back on the scene of the World Cup luge on artificial track. The Bavarian gut, built in 1959 is one of the historical places of the sport. It has hosted five editions of the World Championships, the first in 1969 while the last'' in 1999 and six events counting towards the European Championship (1967, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1988 and 1994).
Friday 3 January 2014 12 minutes reading time
The track, in the context of the natural park of Berchtesgaden in 1968 was equipped with a system of artificial refrigeration and ice in announcing the first race valid for the fledgling World Cup luge in the 1978-1979 season. On that occasion among women excelled the West German Andrea Fendt, while among men, and there were two in doubles victories with Italian Gschnitzer-Brunner and with twice Olympic champion Paul Hildgartner.
In 2010, only 11 months into the path of the south of Bavaria has been completely renovated and equipped with a modern refrigeration system, in time to host the World Cup for the World Cup luge and bobsled and skeleton in January 2011.
This casing is famous for some of its steps: the series of curves 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 that takes the name of Schlangengrube (in Italian maze) and the Turbodrom the famous curve at 320 degrees which is called in technical term Kreisel . Quest'' last point has been seriously damaged by an accidental fire that has developed during the ristutturazione'' s plant in 2010.
The sixth note of the 2013-2014 World Cup will open with the test female that will be staged in the early afternoon on Saturday. On the home track Natalie Geisenberger true ruler of this season could become the first woman in history to win the first six races of the season. The twenty-five Berchtesgaden at the moment seems to be invincible thanks to the materials excellently prepared by the wise Georg Hackl and especially seems to have reached a certain mental stability that allows it to tackle the races without getting caught too much pressure.
The leader of the general classification of this gut has also won the last two editions, and does not descend from the podium for seven seasons. The traditional Bavarian appointment the home crowd will be expecting great things from the other three athletes Teutonic also recorded the event, given that the Koenigssee in Germany continues uninterruptedly to celebrate shotguns since 1999!
The main antagonist of Geisenberger will undoubtedly compatriot Tatjana Huefner record-holder for victories on this plant, from last season has literally passed the baton to the younger dominatrix teammate. Not be underestimated even the veteran Anke Wischnewski and young Dajana Eitberger that could give the German team's second season poker.
In the fight for the podium, you could enter the Canadian Alex Gough in Bavaria has already achieved three third places. A Koenigssee come into the circus world champion Russia's Tatiana Ivanova returned from a long and exclusive test session at the Sochi Olympic gut that could be incorporated as always in top positions.
'' The Italian will be presented at the start with three athletes: Sandra Gasparini, Andrea and Sandra Voetter Robatcher. All three of the blue to access the real test of the World Cup will have to resort to the Nations Cup where they will qualify in the first fourteen positions.
Rounding out the first day of competition will think the protagonists of the two-seater sledge. Even in this competition the number one favorite for the win will house athletes. The two Bavarian Tobias Wendl and Tobias Artl where they grew up on the runway should not have any problems in getting fifth consecutive win of the season sixth in Koenigssee.
The main opponents of the "Bayern Express" will be, as usual, the younger teammates Eggert-Benecken that once shaded the chance to play until the end of the Crystal Ball will take greater risks to point to success in a single appointment.
Considering practically already assigned the first two positions, you could turn a great fight at home Austria for the'' last step of the podium. The main candidates for the third place are in fact the red and white Penz-Fischler third last year and twice Olympic champions Linger-Linger in Koenigssee that they got the beauty of seven podiums.
Among the possible outsider for the top three positions are entered two of the partnerships made up of blue Oberstolz-Gruber from Rieder-Rastner that this season they have scored two podiums. In Bavaria, the'' Italian will also be represented by Fischnaller-Schwienbacher that will earn the'' access to the test on Saturday by the Nations Cup
At mid-morning on Sunday, will enter the scene axes of the sled male. Never before this season has reigned so much uncertainty in a sport historically characterized by great rulers. At the sixth round in fact will come back to the starting gate four athletes enclosed in a piece of only 49 points.
The prediction and tradition penderebbero from the two Bavarian Felix Loch and David Moeller but the remarkable growth of competitiveness of young blue Dominik Fischnaller and found myself feeling with the success of Armin Zöggeler could reshuffle the cards on the table. It should not be forgotten in fact, that on this very gut Fischnaller exactly a year ago he caught his first career podium in Koenigssee and that the "Cannibal" blue scored with 8 statements.
In addition to these four main characters could fit also announced Albert Demtschenko and Andi Langenhan. The Russian author of a dull start to the season with the'' closer'' s Olympic event should start to get in a very good shape and on track'' that was won on four occasions could show his teeth to the principal adversaries. The German Langenhan instead should give his best to convince the federal technicians to convene in the trio of Olympic Sochi and the Bavarian'' appointment will be for him a sort of last resort.
In addition to Fischnaller and Zöggeler the'' Italian line up at the start of the Nations Cup three other athletes: Emanuel Rieder, Kevin Fischnaller and David Mair. The three South Tyrol to take part in the race on Sunday will close the qualifying heats in the first seventeen positions.
The long weekend of racing will be closed with the relay team which as usual will see the Germany firm favorite. In the nine editions held so far the Teutonic team scored eight wins coming mocked only in the first round last year by the Italian team.
To make it even more uncertain the weekend's World Cup will take care of the weather. According to weather forecasts in Koenigssee temperatures are expected to be quite high and this will greatly affect the choice of materials. If that were the'' German round could be a good test in view of the Sochi Olympics in the Russian resort since it is difficult to compete with the arctic weather conditions.
SCHEDULE TELEVISIVOIl packed weekend of racing in Koenigssee will be streamed live and recorded by the satellite network Eurosport (channel 211/212 of the SKY platform and 384/385 platform Mediaset Premium).
January 4 - 17:55 pm - EUROSPORT HD - First round doubles (Live)
January 4 - Hours 18:45 - Eurosport HD - Second run double (direct)
January 4 - 19:45 pm - Eurosport 2 HD - Second run of women (deferred)
January 5 - 10:15 - Eurosport 2 HD - First round men's (direct)
January 5 - 11:30 am - EUROSPORT HD - Second round male (direct)
January 5 - 13:45 pm - Eurosport 2 HD - Relay Team (Live)
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