And now the lugers too? The decline of a sport that no one has mastered like the Germans. Sorry, dominated. At the weekend, the Austrians went sledding with the neighborhood at the World Championships in Altenberg: four gold medals, passing the power in the ice track. How is this possible within a year? In 2023, the Germans went home with eight of nine possible World Cup victories.
The most popular answer leads to the original German of all lugers, to Hackl Schorsch, the Bavarian-style figurehead on runners. The three-time Olympic champion had dared to move abroad, obviously but painfully, to Austria. Things were already going downhill at a rapid pace – to success. This is what it looks like from a distance. Because even after his career, Hackl knew what a luge had to offer and how to accelerate young talent.
X-ray vision for luge
So boost from Bavaria? From the Austrians’ point of view, things went differently. They have brought their “material” to the highest level with major investments, also thanks to the Ministry of Finance. A sledge master, whom the athletes in Altenberg thanked, was joined by a fellow countryman who has a kind of X-ray vision for luge. Because he previously worked at the world association and saw every part of the competition in individual parts. In Formula 1 there would have been a temporary work ban. There was little more than a little dissatisfaction among the sledders.
Anno Hecker Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 18 Published/Updated: Achim Dreis Published/Updated: Recommendations: 9
Happy Austria? Clever Austria! This is also what distinguishes the Hackl Schorsch. Because thanks to his insight he can quickly see where things are going well or will soon be going well. The Austrians are no longer a slouch when it comes to funding contracts. Good offers are making the rounds. They lead to a strengthening of your own team – and, conversely, sometimes to a weakening of the competition.
It’s not dramatic. The men’s world champion, the Thuringian Max Langenhan, didn’t give anyone the slightest chance. Other Germans were more likely to fail because of their nerves. Their sleds were running, as evidenced by their victory in the team relay. Three World Cup titles for the Germans are five fewer than a year ago, but good for the development of the sport within and outside German borders. It has become more exciting.
