Josh Fogo, of Naseby, in action during the natural track
luge world championships in Italy over the weekend. He
finished 35th of 50 racers. Photo by Hermann Sobe.
The efforts of two Naseby-trained racers who competed in
the natural track luge world championships bode well for the
future of the sport, the national luge association president
says.
Teenagers Josh Fogo, of Naseby, and Jack Leslie, of
Christchurch, both aged 15, were the first New Zealanders to
compete in the world championship event, held in Italy over
the weekend. They were among the youngest competitors and
achieved ''great results'', New Zealand Olympic Luge
Association president Geoff Balme said.
''It bodes well for the future and shows that we can develop
athletes on the Naseby Luge Track and prepare them for
international competition.''
Fogo finished 35th of 50 racers and Leslie finished 36th.
Racers from 20 countries took part, Balme said. The boys had
been training and competing in Italy for a month and would
race in a World Cup event in Austria later this week before
returning to school.
Patrick Pigneter (25), of Italy, who coached and trained at
the Naseby track in July last year, won the world
championship race - only 0.07sec ahead after three runs,
Balme said. Pigneter also won gold medals in the team and
doubles competitions which meant he has been single and
doubles world champion twice and team world champion three
times.
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