Zöggeler ambitious: “We want three medals in Cortina”

In an interview with s+, Zöggeler talks about the current planning of the artificial track lugers until the start of the Olympics on February 6, 2026, the ambitious goals, the new Olympic track and about natural track luge.

The Olympics begin in 250 days. What's the status of the artificial track luge? "Preseason preparations are already underway; the break was extremely short. The team is currently on the ice. They meet twice a week for technique and start training at the ice stadiums in Brixen and Neumarkt. Outside of this time, joint dryland training blocks are scheduled."

The lugers were in Cortina d'Ampezzo testing the new Olympic track until mid-April. How long did the skiers actually have a break? "This year has been a very unusual year for all our athletes. The season lasted an extremely long time. As soon as we knew that the track in Cortina d'Ampezzo was being completed, we trained for it from April 5th to 15th. Only then were the athletes able to take a few days off, but that was it. Since the beginning to mid-May, everyone has been involved in athletic training, including cycling, but also mountain hiking and running."

A legend: Armin Zöggeler © EPA / VASSIL DONEV

Who is responsible for the physical preparation of the national team? "We have three conditioning coaches: Mattias Schnitzer, Günther Taschler, and Martin Winding, all of whom focus on different areas. We're truly well-positioned here. Each of these coaches trains with their own group, which has the advantage of ensuring that each athlete has the best opportunities for their specific needs and personal style."

What will happen in the next weeks and months? "The international training session with all the luge nations will take place on the new Olympic track in Cortina at the end of October or beginning of November. After the training sessions in the ice stadiums, we'll be on the runway in Maranza from mid-July. This is followed by a week's rest for the athletes to recover. After that, we'll conduct another fitness training block until the end of August, before we hold several training sessions in Cortina d'Ampezzo starting in October."

Two-time Olympic champion: Armin Zöggeler © APA/epa / HOW HWEE YOUNG

When was the last time you were in Cortina d'Ampezzo? "I was there 14 days ago to clarify some uncertainties regarding the positioning of the starting bars. I also took the opportunity to check on the progress of the construction work, which has now resumed. After the provisional completion of the track, which made homologation possible in the first place, many workers returned home to their families. However, all workers are now back to finish the work at full speed."

What work still needs to be done to fully complete the artificial track? "Currently, the entire track roof is being installed. After that, the men's start house, the women's start house, and the finish house will be completed."

When will Fischnaller, Vötter & Co. train again on the 2026 Olympic track? "From October 15 to October 25, the Italian luge, bobsleigh, and skeleton teams will be there. Afterwards, the athletes will have a few days' rest and then return to Cortina d'Ampezzo for the international training week."

A total of five sets of medals will be awarded to the luge athletes at the Olympics. How many would be a success for the Azzurri at the Olympics? "Without being boastful, three medals would be a success for us. I don't think that's unrealistic in any way, even though the competition is extremely tough. Of course, it will require a bit of luck, but I think we can really do it."

What is the biggest challenge for athletes at the Olympics? "The home Games are something very special for our athletes. All of our athletes have competed at the Olympic Games before, but never at an Olympic Games held in their own country. It's an experience that only a few athletes get to experience. Home Games offer several advantages, such as our better knowledge of the track. They can complete more training runs there than their competitors. At the same time, they are more in the spotlight in their own country. The attention is greater, the media interest will be enormous, and with it, the pressure of expectations increases."

Let's turn to the natural track lugers: Evelin Lanthaler, Patrick Pigneter, and Florian Clara, long-time flagships of the sport, have retired, and their future prospects are bleak, partly due to the lack of Olympic prospects. How important is natural track luge for artificial track lugers? "Our collaboration remains immensely important. Many athletes gain their first experience on natural track and then move on to artificial track to take the next step. However, not everyone is naturally equipped to navigate artificial track, and vice versa. For those of us in charge, whether on natural or artificial track, it's our job to distribute the athletes where they can best utilize their abilities."

What is your personal opinion on the fact that ski mountaineering is on the program at the 2026 Olympics, but natural track luge is not? "This was due to the IOC's requirements. The maximum number of athletes allowed for the Winter Olympics is just under 3.000. If a new sport is added, other disciplines have to give up starting places. A maximum of 106 athletes can be registered for artificial track luge. If natural track luge were included, there would still only be 106 in both disciplines. Because every nation has an automatic right to start, this quota would be at the expense of the strongest nations, some of whose top athletes would have to stay home. The International Luge Federation was naturally in favor of making natural track an Olympic sport and would be happy to continue supporting it. The crux of the matter, however, is that, as things stand, artificial track athletes would lose their starting places. A tricky and currently unsolvable situation."

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Zöggeler ambitious: “We want three medals in Cortina”

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