Junior World Cup 2 in 1

At the beginning of December, the Junior and Youth World Cup has kicked off in Calgary.
Within four days and on a single track have been carried out the first two stages. The third will take place in mid January. In addition to this particular distribution of the calendar, other aspects have attracted our curiosity. In order to explore the reasons and the mechanisms, we interviewed Klaus Kofler, coordinator of the Italian junior National team.

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Klaus Kofler ph: @CyntheaHausman2016

Fast&Cool: A few days ago, in Calgary, the first 2 stages of the Junior and Youth World Cup have been carried out. Each category has competed 2 times in approximately 48 hours.
Why has been decided to do so?

Klaus Kofler: They decided so because, if they had organized there just one race, no Nation would have faced this long journey. A race in America is associated with great costs.

F&C: This year's calendar is rather peculiar: after these first two stages, you'll regain in mid January. Why they opted for a so "fractionated" calendar?

K.K.: Making the Juniors calendar is not so easy, because they have to organize first the luge, bobsled and skeleton races for the adults and only later for the youth. In addition some tracks have no interest in hosting the junior competitions, because they don't make money with them: no TV, few spectators.. Initially had been scheduled one race also in Lake Placid, but in the end the track has not accepted :-(

F&C: We have noticed that, despite the track was the same, at distance of 2 days, the results have been significantly different.
Which factors have allowed this phenomenon, not easy to explain for the layman?

K.K: It is easy to answer: for everyone it was the first time in Calgary! They have done 10 training runs, and then the races. They are still young and are not able to do each run without mistakes. It is normal on their age. They work well and try to improve.

The track in Calgary view from satellite

F&C: You have decided to bring only the men's team, why?

K.K.: As I said before, this "journey" costs a lot. In those days the women's team has made a good training in Oberhof and Igls, with many more runs. It is important for their growth.

Da sx: Felix Schwarz, Lukas Gufler, Fabian Malleier, Ivan Nagler. 
Accosciato: Leon Felderer ph: Holly Arndt

F&C: Although there were no Italian girls, you have taken part in the junior Team Relay, by deploying Veronica Ravenna, who usually competes for Argentina. How was it possible?

K.K.: So are the rules: when there is not one of the component of the Relay, you can join it together with another Country.

F&C: In Calgary there were no German athletes. This has fostered the good results of your guys? To what extent?

K.K.: It is hard to say... but we don't look to others. We try to make a good race, to improve continuously, and then we see what happens ;-)

In the light of what  Klaus told us, we hope that the Federations will continue to cultivate the training schools and the FIL will make sure to keep the youth competitions at high level.
Otherwise we fear that this beautiful, but difficult and very "niche" sport will have a very short life!


paola castaldi

You can read the Italian translation of my article on oasport.it at the following link: http://www.oasport.it/2016/12/slittino-klaus-kofler-e-difficile-organizzare-gare-per-i-giovani-senza-introiti-molte-localita-dicono-di-no/

Slitte nella tempesta - Slides in the storm

All'insegna dell'incertezza la terza tappa di Coppa del Mondo, prevista a Whistler (CAN).

Le slitte di tutti gli atleti, che avrebbero dovuto essere trasportate su strada da Lake Placid, nello stato di New York (USA) a Whistler, in British Columbia (CAN), non sono ancora arrivate!
Sono rimaste bloccate da una tempesta di neve a Brandon, a circa 2000 km dalla destinazione.
Attualmente si pensa di spostarle con un volo charter da Winnipeg e si prevede di farle arrivare entro domani mattina, ora locale.

Allenamenti e gare continuano a subire variazioni d'orario.

Delle 7 discese di allenamento previste, si spera di poterne fare un paio.
Per gli atleti più esperti, questo non dovrebbe essere un problema, ma in questo modo sarà garantita la sicurezza dei meno abili nella guida?
Questa è la pista più veloce del mondo e, nonostante il repentino accorciamento deciso alla vigilia delle Olimpiadi del 2010, resta un tracciato in cui si possono raggiungere i 150 km/h!

                             

Attualmente tutte le competizioni, compresa la Nations Cup, sono schedulate sabato pomeriggio, a partire dalle ore 14.

Le competizioni di Coppa del Mondo saranno disputate in una manche unica e la Staffetta è stata cancellata.

Speriamo che non ci siano ulteriori ritardi e che tutto si possa svolgere nel miglior modo possibile, ma ha senso snaturare così tanto i format delle gare pur di farle svolgere?
Siamo sicuri che lo spettacolo debba continuare?

Characterized by the uncertainty the third stage of the World Cup, scheduled in Whistler (CAN).

The slides of all the athletes, that were supposed to be transported by road from Lake Placid, in the state of New York (USA) to Whistler, British Columbia (CAN), have not arrived yet!

They have been stranded by a snowstorm in Brandon, about 2,000 km from the destination.

At the moment plans are to move them with a charter flight from Winnipeg and they are expected in Whistler by tomorrow morning, local time.

Trainings and competitions continue to suffer timetable changes.

Of the 7 training runs planned, hopefully there will be held a couple.

For the more experienced athletes, this should not be a problem, but this way will be guaranteed the safety of the less skilled?

This is the fastest track in the world and, despite the abrupt shortening decided on the eve of the 2010 Olympics, it remains a track where you can reach 150 km/h!

Currently all competitions, including the Nations Cup, are scheduled on Saturday afternoon, starting at 14.

The World Cup competitions will be held in a single run and Team Relay has been deleted.

We hope that there won't be further delays and that everything will be carried out in the best possible way, but it makes sense to denature so much the format of the races just to run them anyway?

Must the show go on?


paola castaldi

The Technical Director Armin Zöggeler takes stock of the situation - Il D.T. Armin Zöggeler fa il punto della situazione

During the summer there have been major changes in the technical staff.

Mattias Schnitzer ph: Arthur Kofler

The athletes told us to be happy. What do you think about it? How did you come to the decision to change both the athletic trainer and the physiotherapist?

This season I changed the staff. The arrival of the new fitness coach and of the new physiotherapist brought a new motivation in the team and to have well-motivated athletes is a good thing.

I was not very convinced of the athletic trainer we had before, because I realized that athletes could do even more, so I changed it. As for the former physiotherapist, Diethmar Pirhofer, he wanted to spend more time at home with his family, by the moment that the next two seasons will be very challenging, we have solved the case this way.

Last weekend began the new season. During the race, aspects that during the preparation and training are not evident become clear.

Which positive and negative things have you noticed inside the Italian team?

ph: Sonja Hackhofer Oberhofer

The change of the coaches has been a positive sign. I see the athletes very convinced.
During the races in Winterberg they all have made mistakes and that bothers me a lot, since they have made a good preparation, but they have not been able to transfer the good performances of the workouts in the races. This is a problem. We need to analyze and think about how to do better.

In the second run in Winterberg Dominik Fischnaller has set the fastest time. Can we consider this a positive signal?

Sure, it's a good sign, but in this moment he fails to transfer in the race all the good he does during trainings, that's all.
I am very happy with the equipement and I am sure that he could always get good times if he were able to perform well up to the arrival, without making mistakes.

ph: Oswald Haselrieder

Walter Plaikner is back to take care of the development of the materials. Is his long experience bringing benefits?

Now Walter Plaikner is back as our counselor. We develop some materials separately, carrying on the research and development program we have started since a long time. He tries some things and then we compare the ideas and carry forward the best ones.

This, apart Oberstolz/Gruber, is a very young team, that struggles to find a leader like you were in the past.

What needs to be done, in your opinion, because this group grows and achieves good results in a constant way?

True, they are young, but they have to stop using their youth as an excuse! They have to mature!

It's just been homologated the new track of Pyeongchang. You were there in last spring, but it had not been frozen yet. Which impression did you have? Do you think it is suitable to the characteristics of your athletes?

It's hard to say. I was there just in the last spring. In autumn there has been the international homologation, but I was not there in person and I only heard someone else's opinion concerning it, so I can't say exactly how are the characteristics of the track. We will see in the next spring, when we will be there for an ITW from 8th untill 14th February and also the following week for the World Cup of February 18th and 19th.

The tracing is very interesting. I can not still say if it will be also technically interesting, because I've seen just very few athletes sliding and I haven't collected enough elements to have a precise idea.

Also in this season takes place the Sprint Cup. Do you like this race format?

There is to say that it is an international format, that last year has been included for the first time in the World Championships program. It will be so this year again. It's a very interesting format, it is very fast and it also gives another chance to win a medal.

Durante l’estate ci sono stati importanti cambiamenti nello staff tecnico.

Mattias Schnitzer ph: Arthur Kofler

Gli atleti ci hanno detto di essere contenti. Tu cosa ne pensi? Come siete arrivati alla decisione di cambiare sia il preparatore atletico sia il fisioterapista?

In questa stagione ho cambiato lo staff. L’arrivo del nuovo preparatore atletico e del nuovo fisioterapista ha portato una nuova motivazione in squadra e avere atleti ben motivati è un’ottima cosa.

Non ero molto convinto del preparatore atletico, che c’era prima perché mi rendevo conto che gli atleti potevano fare ancora di più, così l’ho cambiato. Per quanto riguarda il precedente fisioterapista, Diethmar Pirhofer, ha avuto voglia di stare di più a casa con i suoi e allora, visto che le prossime due stagioni saranno davvero molto impegnative, abbiamo risolto così.

ph: Sonja Hackhofer Oberhofer

Lo scorso fine settimana è cominciata la nuova stagione. In gara si evidenziano aspetti che durante la preparazione e gli allenamenti non si vedono.

Quali cose positive e quali negative hai riscontrato all’interno della squadra italiana?
Il cambiamento degli allenatori è stato un segno positivo. Vedo gli atleti molto convinti.

Durante le gare di Winterberg hanno fatto tutti errori e questo mi disturba molto, dal momento che hanno fatto una buona preparazione, ma non sono riusciti a trasferire le buone performances degli allenamenti in gara. Questo è un problema. Dobbiamo analizzare e pensare come fare meglio.

Nella seconda manche di Winterberg Dominik Fischnaller ha fatto il miglior tempo. Possiamo considerarlo un segnale positivo?

Certo, è un segnale positivo, ma al momento non riesce a trasferire in gara ciò che di buono fa in allenamento, tutto qui.

Sono molto contento dei materiali e sono sicuro che potrebbe ottenere sempre ottimi tempi se riuscisse ad andare bene fino all’arrivo senza commettere errori.

ph: Oswald Haselrieder

Walter Plaikner è tornato ad occuparsi dello sviluppo dei materiali. La sua lunga esperienza sta portando dei benefici?

Adesso Walter Plaikner è tornato come nostro consulente. Noi sviluppiamo separatamente alcuni materiali, portando avanti il progetto di ricerca e sviluppo, che abbiamo avviato da tempo. Lui prova alcune cose e poi confrontiamo le idee e portiamo avanti le migliori.

Questa, a parte Oberstolz/Gruber, è una squadra molto giovane, che fatica a trovare un leader come ad esempio sei stato tu in passato.

Cosa bisogna ancora fare, secondo te, perché questo gruppo cresca e raggiunga risultati buoni in modo costante?

Vero, sono giovani, ma devono smettere di usare la loro giovane età come scusa! Devono maturare!

E’ appena stata omologata la nuova pista di Pyeongchang. Tu sei stato là in primavera, ma non era ancora stata ghiacciata. Che impressione ti ha fatto? Pensi possa essere adatta alle caratteristiche dei tuoi atleti?

E’ difficile da dire. Io sono stato lì solo in primavera. In autunno c’è stata l’omologazione internazionale, ma io non c’ero personalmente ed ho solo sentito le opinioni degli altri in merito, quindi non posso dire esattamente come siano le caratteristiche della pista. Vedremo nella prossima primavera, quando saremo lì per una ITW dall’8 al 14 febbraio ed anche la settimana successiva per la CdM del 18 e 19/2.

Il tracciato è molto interessante. Non posso ancora dire se risulterà interessante anche tecnicamente, perché ho visto pochissimi scendere e non ho raccolto abbastanza elementi per avere un’idea precisa.

Anche in questa stagione si svolge la Sprint Cup. Ti piace questo formato di gara?

C’è da dire che è un formato internazionale, che l’anno scorso è stato inserito per la prima volta nel programma dei Mondiali. Sarà così anche quest’anno. E’ un formato veramente molto interessante, è molto veloce e dà anche un’altra possibilità di vincere una medaglia.

paola castaldi

In Winterberg has started the World Cup

In a sunny Winterberg as few remembered, last weekend kicked off the 2016/17 World Cup.

Living in a soccer-centric country like ours, the impact with the luge athmosphere is always reassuring. Beyond an healthy and reasonable sporting competitiveness, sport, respect and friendship are the dominant values.

On Friday and Saturday, February's "swimming pool" has given way to a dry and performing track, which has led to a slew of track records.

Women have begun greatly in the first run: Mc Rae (CAN), Platzer (AUT), Eitberger (GER), Hüfner (GER) and Geisenberger (GER) have overcome each other in this order, bringing lower and lower the dipstick. Geisenberger has also beaten herself in the second run, with a time of 55",401.

Although the path is long, we see hope for improvement even for our girls. A particularly spiteful fate has willed that both of them had serious shoulder problems ..and you know how shoulders are fundamental for a luger.

Sandra Robatscher had a bad inflammation, which had been a little overlooked, but the new physiotherapist, Antonio Tartaglia, has begun to address the situation already last summer. "In Norway, his condition was still very bad -he told us- but we managed to do a good job and now the problem seems to be solved."

Andrea Vötter's situation was still worst: she had already been underwent a bilateral surgery in the summer of 2015. However for the two shoulders had been used different surgical techniques. The one used on the right shoulder has proved much more effective, so in the last months the surgery on her left shoulder has been repeated with the technique proven the best and Andrea told us: "Since I returned on the ice, in Norway, I noticed a significant improvement and I've been performing like never before in the start. After surgery, by the moment that my teammates were often away and I was still recovering, I entrusted myself to a personal physiotherapist, with whom I was able to recuperate satisfactorily in time for the beginning of the season."

Doubles have not been less impressive with Wendl / Arlt, who lowered the time clocked in February by Eggert / Benecken, but have been repeatedly beaten by the same compatriots, who clocked the Track Record in both runs (42 962 and 42.943) and the Start Record (2,983) in the first heat.

Among the Italians, good fifths Rieder / Rastner, second only to the winners in the starting phase, and who are working hard on their driving technique, in which they still have considerable room for improvement.

One thing that has intrigued many fans is how Antonio Tartaglia, former Technical Director of the Italian bobsled National team, has become the physiotherapist of the luge National team.

"Actually my role in bobsled team was really stressful and I had decided to leave it anyway.

I was already qualified as a physiotherapist and I did what I needed to perform this task even at the National team level. By chance, my precursor, Diethmar Pirhofer, has been moved by the Army to Bozen, to manage the Casta. When in the spring I met Armin Zöggeler, my comrade in the Carabinieri, he asked me to join the luge National team. We made a test, we were fine on both sides, and here I am. The luge environment is completely different from that of the bobsled and I am sure that here I will have new challenges ... not least the language: they all speak dialect, at best German ... and I don't understand even one word!"

Shiva Keshavan photo: Hidenari Kanayama

In a Teutonic matrix environment like this, one of those who would fail to go unnoticed even if it wanted is a smiling Indian guy, with his orange suit, who thanks to his mother Rosalba and to his university studies in Italy, perfectly speaks Dante's language with a slight Tuscan accent: Shiva Keshavan.
Shiva is one of the veterans of the circuit, holder of the World record for youngest ever Olympian with regard to this discipline, which only 16 years old took part in the Olympics in Nagano (JAP). Since then he has not missed one edition of the games, so that Pyeongchang will be his 6th Olympics.

Since 2014 collaborates with him as coach the former US luger Duncan Kennedy, who is providing his extensive experience also to improve the sled.

Unfortunately on Sunday morning Winterberg has regained its usual humid and unstable climate. To pay the greater brunt have been the Fischnaller cousins, who have found themselves down the first run in a mixture of snow and rain that, in addition to making precarious the conditions of the track, has made poor the visibility during the race.
Small consolation in the second heat: Dominik has set the fastest time of the manche and Kevin got a 5th time for him very encouraging.

In the "traditional format" World Cup down the podium Felix Loch, who recuperated immediately winning the Sprint race.

Russia, guided by Albert Demchenko, continues to convince putting three athletes in the top six and getting two second places: with Repilov in the World Cup and with Fedorov in the Sprint.

paola castaldi

You can read the Italian translation of my article on oasport.it at the following link: http://www.oasport.it/2016/11/slittino-dietro-le-quinte-a-winterberg-tartaglia-e-laddio-al-bob-azzurri-tra-speranze-e-difficolta/

Intervista a Dominik Fischnaller alla vigilia dell'avvio di stagione - Interview with Dominik Fischnaller just before the new season's kickoff

Il prossimo fine settimana, a Winterberg (GER), prenderà il via la Coppa del Mondo 2016/17. Comincerà là dove si era chiusa la passata stagione, con una gara rocambolesca, fortemente condizionata dal meteo, in cui conclusero nei primi 5 posti atleti, che dopo la prima discesa erano nelle retrovie.
A 15 mesi dai Giochi Olimpici di Pyeongchang (Corea del Sud), abbiamo intervistato Dominik Fischnaller, atleta di punta della Nazionale Italiana e componente del team, che ha partecipato alla pre-omologazione della nuova pista coreana.

Fast&Cool: La nuova stagione sta per cominciare, come ti sei preparato durante l'estate? Quali sono le tue aspettative?

Dominik Fischnaller: Durante l'estate abbiamo lavorato tanto con il nuovo preparatore atletico, Mattias Schnitzer! Con lui abbiamo fatto tanti esercizi nuovi per la partenza e siamo anche stati in sala pesi quasi tutti i giorni per migliorarci. La speranza è di fare buone gare e partenze veloci. E poi si vedrà.

 

F&C: Ormai è circa un mese che sei tornato sul ghiaccio. Pensi che i materiali siano migliori dell'anno scorso? Quali sensazioni hai?

D.F.: Siamo stati a Lillehammer (NOR), Sigulda (LAT), Königssee (GER), Oberhof (GER) e Igls (AUT). Mentre i miei compagni erano a Winterberg, io sono stato anche a Pyeongchang. Mi sento in una buona forma e mi trovo bene con la slitta anche perché ho un nuovo sedile.

F&C: Rispetto all'anno scorso avete cambiato fisioterapista e preparatore atletico. Cosa è cambiato per voi atleti? Pensi che sia stato un miglioramento?

D.F.: Sì, è vero li abbiamo cambiati entrambi. Secondo me questo è stato un miglioramento. Antonio (ndr.: Tartaglia, ex D.T. della Nazionale di bob, oro nel bob a 2 alle Olimpiadi di Nagano 1998) ha tanta esperienza sia da atleta sia come allenatore. Mattias ha lavorato tanto con noi anche in passato e noi crediamo in ciò che ci dice e ci insegna.

F&C: Sei appena stato a Pyeongchang per la pre omologazione della nuova pista olimpica. Ti piace?

D.F.: Questa pista é veramente bellissima, mi piace un sacco! Anche la gente, che lavora lì ci ha accolti benissimo e abbiamo mangiato molto bene. Così per me lì è stato tutto bello.

F&C: Quest'anno la stagione comincerà a Winterberg, dove si è conclusa quella passata. Il clima molto variabile di quella zona porta spesso risultati imprevedibili e colpi di scena. L'anno scorso tu fosti 24° nella prima manche e 3° a fine gara. Come vedi la gara di quest'anno?

D.F.: Sì, il tempo di Winterberg è sempre un po' strano. Secondo me, comunque, quello che è successo l'anno scorso è stato anche un gran colpo di fortuna! Quest'anno la gara sarà sicuramente diversa. Un piazzamento ai primi 10 sarebbe sicuramente un bel modo di iniziare!

Chris Mezdzer, Stepan Fedorov e Dominik Fischnaller, sorpresi, sul podio alla fine della gara di 
Winterberg, lo scorso 21 febbraio. Alla fine della prima manche erano stati 28°, 26° e 24°

F&C: I Mondiali di gennaio 2017 saranno ad Igls, dove l'anno scorso hai messo a segno la tua seconda vittoria da Senior. Parlaci del tuo rapporto con questa pista su cui, negli ultimi anni, hai fatto buoni risultati e che si può quasi dire sia la tua "pista di casa".

D.F.: Diciamo che la pista di Igls mi piace... anche perché è tanto vicina a casa (ndr. circa 80 km), così la mia famiglia e gli amici vengono sempre a vedermi gareggiare lì. È stato lì che ho fatto le mie prime discese da bambino.

Next weekend, in Winterberg (GER), will kick off the 2016/17 World Cup. It will begin where last season was closed with an unpredictable race, strongly affected by the weather, in which the athletes, who concluded in the first 5 places, had been in the rear after the first run.

15 months from the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang (South Korea), we interviewed Dominik Fischnaller, top athlete of the Italian National team and member of the team, which has participated in the pre-homologation of the new Korean track.

Fast&Cool: The new season is about to begin, how did you prepare during the summer? Which are your expectations?

Dominik Fischnaller: During the summer we worked a lot with the new physical trainer, Mattias Schnitzer! With him, we made so many new exercises for the start and we were also in the weight room almost every day to improve.
The hope is to make good races and quick starts. And then we'll see.

F&C: It is now about a month that you're back on ice. Do you think the equipment is better than last year? What feelings do you have?
D.F.: We've been in Lillehammer (NOR), Sigulda (LAT), Königssee (GER), Oberhof (GER) e Igls (AUT). While my team mates were in Winterberg, I've been also in Pyeongchang. I feel in a good shape and I feel good with the slide also because I have a new seat.  

F&C: During the summer you have changed the physiotherapist and the athletic trainer. What has changed for you athletes? Do you think it has been an improvement?

D.F.: Yes, it's true, we have changed them both. I think this has been an improvement. Antonio (editor's note: Tartaglia, former Technical Director of the bob Italian National team, gold in the two man bobsleigh at the 1998 Nagano Olympics) has a lot of experience both as an athlete and as a coach. Mattias has worked so hard with us also in the past and we believe in what he says and teaches us.

F&C: You've just been in Pyeongchang for the pre homologation of the new Olympic track. Do you like it?

D.F.: This track is really beautiful, I love it! Even people working there welcomed us fine and we ate very well. So for me everything was nice there.

F&C: This year the season begins in Winterberg, where the last has ended. The highly variable climate of that area often leads to unpredictable results and twists. Last year you were 24th in the first heat and 3rd at the end of the race. How do you see this year's race?

D.F.: Yes, the Winterberg weather is always a bit weird. However, to me, what has happened last year was also a stroke of luck! This year the race will definitely be different. I think that a place between the first 10 would be a good way to start the season!

Chris Mezdzer, Stepan Fedorov and Dominik Fischnaller, surprised, on the podium at the end of the race in
Winterberg, on last February 21st. At the end of the first run they had been 28th, 26th and 24th

F&C: The World Championships in January 2017 will be in Igls, where last year you scored your second victory as Senior. Tell us about your relationship with this track on which, in the last years, you've done well and that you can almost say to be your "home track".

D.F.: Let's say that I like Igls's track... also because it is so close to home (editor's note: about 80 km), so my family and friends always come to see me competing there. It was there that I made my first runs as a child.

paola castaldi