The newly rebuilt bobsleigh and luge track in Innsbruck/Igls has not been approved. This means that the planned World Cup from November 24 to 30 is also in jeopardy. There are problems with the ice profiling in the newly built lower section. "The entrance to curve 14 is currently too wide, so a forced line is being created with a wooden plank to minimize the risk," said ÖBSV Secretary General Manfred Maier from the Austrian Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (ÖBSV).
The safety of the athletes is the top priority. "Together with the International Luge Federation FIL, the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation IBSF and the track operator Olympia World, we are now doing everything we can to implement the necessary structural adjustments as quickly as possible," said Maier.
High risk of falls
After 20 months of construction, the lower part of the track was renovated and, in particular, the aggressive finish curve, including the exit, was defused. The run-out was extended, a new women's start was built and a new finish house was erected in the area of the traffic circle. Curves 13 to 14 currently have too high a risk of crashes.
"It was better on Monday, but still not in a way that works and is controllable. You mustn't forget that we did the few test rides from the old women's start, which is 30 kilometers per hour short. If we start from our usual starting height, it would simply be too dangerous," said Pyeongchang Olympic champion David Gleirscher in a statement from the Austrian Luge Federation (ÖRV).
The luge home World Cup is scheduled for December 6/7.
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