Tobogganing legend Georg Hackl explains his move to Austria

Sport George Hackl

“It’s no secret that this offer has been around for several years”

TOBOGGANING: ÖRV PK WITH THE NEW COACHING STAFF: HACKL/ PROCK

At the official presentation in Innsbruck on Thursday, Georg Hackl explained the reasons for his change of association

Quelle: pa/EXPA/APA/picturedesk.com

His move to Austria is making waves. Now Georg Hackl explains why he will be working as a toboggan trainer in the neighboring country in the future. Hackl indicated a problem that German professional sports have been dealing with for years.

Dhe decision was not easy for him, but Georg Hackl is now looking forward to his new task on the ice track. The German luge legend was presented in Innsbruck as the new trainer at the Austrian Toboggan Association (ÖRV).

At the same time, he emphasized that he was leaving the German association without resentment. “I was simply drawn to the challenge with Austria. Of course there was also an improvement in pay, otherwise you wouldn’t change jobs. But the most important reason was that I had more freedom in the summer,” explained the 55-year-old Bavarian to “Sport1” on the sidelines of his official presentation.

His contract with the Austrian Luge Federation initially runs for the Olympic cycle until 2026; this year the next winter games will be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The man from Berchtesgaden is supposed to advise and support the Austrian toboggan team, especially in questions of material.

Two-lane EM toboggan Hackl

Georg Hackl is considered the figurehead of German tobogganing. The 55-year-old is now moving to Austria as a coach

Source: pa/dpa/Frank_Leonhardt

“Schorsch under the Austrian flag means above all that we want to bring the horsepower of the Austrian tobogganists and tobogganing to the ground,” said Markus Prock, who was once Hackl’s permanent rival in the ice track and is now president of the ÖRV.

Interest has existed for years

He doesn’t have to move to Innsbruck to be part of the coaching team in the future, explained Hackl. “No. I have the opportunity to do most of the work in the home office in the summer. In winter, of course, I have to be on site as a toboggan trainer in order to contribute my expertise.” Hackl, who is known as a technology inventor, won three Olympic gold medals in 1992, 1994 and 1998, two silver medals, ten world championship titles and a total of 33 World Cup races in his career .

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It is not surprising that his expertise arouses desire. When asked about the background to his change, Hackl, who is regarded as the figurehead of German luge, confirmed that the ÖRV had actively approached him.

“It is also no secret that this offer has been approached by the Austrian side for several years. Up until now I had always refused because I was still in the Bundeswehr and didn’t want to give up my status as a professional soldier,” he explained. “But now I retired from the German Armed Forces on October 1st, due to my age.”

Concern at the German association

There is dismay after the departure of the icon. Alexander Resch, board member of the BSD, described Hackl as “the face of tobogganing” and his departure as a “huge loss”. Felix Loch, like Hackl a three-time Olympic champion, also paid tribute to his long-standing coach as he left. “Of course, after all the years together, the fact that Schorsch is leaving us is extremely painful,” said the 32-year-old. “For me he was more than just a coach. I owe him a lot.”

Felix hole

Felix Loch from Germany worked with Georg Hackl for many years

Source: dpa-infocom GmbH

But could the loss of the flagship for the German association really be prevented? “Georg saw the change as the last chance to really develop professionally again,” emphasized association sports director Thomas Schwaab, thereby taking the same line as Hackl, who also mentioned the financial aspect of his change at his presentation in Austria.

The sometimes poor pay is an issue that has been causing dissatisfaction in German professional sport for many years, apart from football. Most recently, René Spies, national bobsleigh coach, had vehemently demanded better remuneration. “There is only one solution. The salaries of the trainers have to be adjusted, in all posts in Germany,” he said and warned: “Of course we try to keep the active people who stop with us. But that is not possible with the salary structure, the people concerned often prefer to stay with the authorities, go to university or go somewhere else.” Like Georg Hackl.

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