it will be serious

As we know, tomorrow in the bobsleigh and luge track Sigulda will start final Viessmann World Cup, and one day after the 45th FIL European Championships .

Latvian luge fans this will be a great opportunity to see in person and cheering on our athletes to the track shortly before their departure for the Sochi Winter Olympics.

Brothers Šics did not hide the pleasure of competing in the home track : '' We hope that it will help us, despite the fact that the track is in Sigulda, we still have a lot of unknown, but we're working on it and work with a view to next year's World Championships, what will also be in Sigulda. The main thing is, to make two solid runs and then we will see what we deserved.'' And after the interview they told us laughing, that there will be not time for jokes in the trak, as it used to be at a time when they only began to luge!

In the same time our most experienced athlete Mārtiņš Rubenis said: ''So Sigulda is a very fast track this week I have not seen it so fast a long time! '' True, Mārtiņš also noted that: '' perhaps, this race will be one of my last international competition in Sigulda, so, of course, I want to win . ''

The participation in this competition is approved by 131 athletes from 22 countries, but the best athletes from Germay, the World Cup leader's, in Sigulda, however, does not start .

Latvian team will be represented by 12 athletes - Elīza Tīruma, Ulla Zirne, Saiva Dambīte, Paula Ābele, Mārtiņš Rubenis, Inārs Kivlenieks, Kristaps Mauriņš, Artūrs Dārznieks, Andris Šics/Juris Šics, Oskars Gudramovičs/ Pēteris Kalniņš.

Latvian Luge president Atis Stranga in press conference, said: " The track in Sigulda is well prepared, and because of the cold weather it will also be fast, so you can expect track records in all disciplines. For our team - some tension impose the fact, that this will be the last race before the Olympics, so we can not promise anything."

In turn, Sigulda municipality Sports Department member Zanda Abzalone said the following: "Sigulda is ready to host the European Championships in Luge. This will be a great experience in preparation for the World Championships in 2015."

Latvian National Team head coach Peter Cīmanis talking about team was very “short” : " As always, we will fight for medals and personal records."

Competition will begin on Friday with "Latvia Travel sprint cup", which will also be the Nations Cup. In "Latvia Travel Sprint Cup " all athletes will take one run. On the basis of the results, lifted off the World Cup strongest group, will also identify Nations Cup winners and athletes who qualified for the 9th World Cup.

We remind you that today, In Sigulda's Festival Square 19:00 will be 45th FIL European Championship opening event .

45.FIL European Championships organized by the International Luge Federation and Latvian Luge Federation with Sigulda's District Council and “AD REM AUTO” support.
Information support from the newspaper "Sport", "Latvijas Avīze", "Sestdiena", "Ilustrētā Junioriem", "Ir" , BoomFM radio, Radio Skonto, www.delfi.lv, www.sportacentrs.com, www.draugiem.en, www.1188.lv.

45.FIL European Championship program

Friday, January 24

12:00 - " Latvia Travel sprint cup"

Saturday, January 25

10:15 - 1st run women
11:35 - 2nd run women
12:55 - 1st run doubles
14:10 - 2nd run doubles

The awards ceremony

Sunday, January 26

9:35 - 1st run men
11:10 - 2nd run men
13:40 - team relay

The awards ceremony

18:00 45.FIL European Championship final event

45.FIL European Championship results will be available after each run www.files - luge.org and www.kamanas.lv