Lugers praise Sanki Sliding Centre

2/26/2013 3:49:00 PM

The newly-built trackwinds its way for 1,814m across the northern slope of the Aibga Ridge, near the village of Krasnaya Polyana, and replicates the existing relief of the local area – a layout that impressed many of the World Cup competitors.

"In general, the track is great,” said Germany’s Andi Langenhan, after his victory in the men’s singles ahead of Russia’s Albert Demchenko, which saw him finish second in the overall standings. “You need to take a special approach to do well here."

Austrian Georg Fischler, European Champion in 2011, said: “Keeping the 2014 Olympic Games in mind, today’s race was especially important. I’m sure that we’ll see exciting races next year – with a close result.”

Andris Sics from Latvia, 2010 Olympic silver medalist, added:
The track is very good and has passed its test for the Olympic Games. Despite the rain the conditions were fair for all of us.”

Germany’s Olympic champion Tatjana Hüfner was also impressed by the Sochi venue, after winning the women’s singles race ahead of compatriots Natalie Geisenberger and Anke Wischnewski

"I like the track, it’s got its own rhythm, and you’ve got to feel it,” said the 29-year-old, whose victory saw her finish third in the overall World Cup standings. “I was trying to find this rhythm two days ago at training, and I’ve finally managed to find it, which is really important for me."

The Sochi event also saw Germany’s Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt win the men’s doubles, before teaming up with Hüfner and Langenhan to win the team relay. The team relay event will celebrate its Olympic debut next year in Sochi.

Following the successful staging of the World Cup event in Sochi, many of the athletes are already looking forward to returning to the venue for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, which begin on 7 February next year.

"The track is very nice and difficult,” said Italy’s two-time Olympic champion Armin Zöggeler, who finished fourth in the men’s singles. “It will be interesting to come back here next year."

Luge athletes discover Sochi 2014 track

11/16/2012 7:00:00 AM

The track, which will host the luge, skeleton and bobsleigh events, is located in Krasnaya Polyna and runs through the northern slope of the Aibga Ridge, meaning that it is protected from direct sunlight.

The echo of the athletes after the first test was positive:

Athletes’ voices

Tatjana Huefner, 2010 Olympic and four-time world champion from Germany:
“I like the track very much. It is a fine but difficult track. Even though there’s still a big building site all around, it’s rather obvious that there’s a lot of progress.”

Andris Sics from Latvia, 2010 Olympic bronze medallist in the doubles together with his brother, Juris:
“We like the track a lot.[…].Here in Sochi the entrances and the curves are long so that you need to really control the sled. If not you’ll lose time. The sections going uphill are interesting, too.”

Felix Loch, 2010 Olympic and three-time world champion from Germany:
“I believe that, in the future, the track will be on the World Cup programme regularly and will see World Championships. When everything is completed, the visual impact of the venue will surely be great.”

About the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games

The next Olympic Winter Games will take place from 7 to 23 February 2014 in Sochi, located by the Black Sea in Russia. Some 2,800 athletes will compete in seven sports, comprising 98 medal events. In order to test the 10 competition venues in the run-up to the Games, Sochi is hosting more than 60 test events between December 2011 and September 2013.

International Olympic Committee : News

Lugers praise Sanki Sliding Centre

Luge athletes discover Sochi 2014 track

Athletes’ voices

About the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games