In mid-June, the 73rd Congress of the International Luge Federation (FIL) took place in Tampere, Finland. Here are the main conclusions:

– Czech Luge Federation (CzeLF) and 6 other federations were the only federations against the secret voting in the matter of allowing Russian athletes to compete in the 2025/2026 season. Russia’s participation was disallowed, even under a neutral flag. CzeLF voted against their participation in both forms.

– FIL is in talks with Eurosport TV about cooperation.

– The major sponsor BMW is ending its cooperation with FIL.

– Seniors will have a World Championships in 2029 in Lake Placid (USA).

-Juniors will have a World Championships in 2026 in Altenberg (Germany) and in 2028 in Lillehammer (Norway), in 2029 in Bludenz (Austria)

– The WOG in 2030 in France will, if all goes well, have the novelty of being able to form a team from more than one nation, so that even small nations can compete in team events.

– All votes supported.

– There were also discussions on a bilateral level regarding the track in Smrzovka and the possibility of organizing summer FIL races like in Ilmenau, Zwickau.

– The designation of Alpine Luge instead of Natural Track Luge was accepted by all FIL members to increase awareness of the sport.

– The Alpine Luge plan was presented, which is most likely to replace Natural Track Luge from 2027. CzeLF was the only federation to vote against this plan, mainly due to lack of communication with the federations from both the 10 working groups of the Natural Track Development section and Vice President Buta. In fact, from 2027 it will be necessary to own a new type of sledge to participate in senior category races, which is not yet approved and regulated in the IRO rules. For the youth the change is to take place from 2030. Last year, however, there was talk only of a new discipline, not a replacement. Many federations have invested a lot of money (thousands of euros) in equipment as well this year, which will no longer be used in future competitions thanks to the Tampere vote.

-The European Championships will be in Laas (Italy) in 2026 and in Jaufental (Italy) in 2029. The JECh will be in 2026 in Mariazell (Austria).

– In 2027, the World Championships in Innsbruck/Igls will be held alongside both artificial tracks and alpine luge.