The season finale of the Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Cup last weekend at the Königssee ice run, like the other World Cup events before, had a very good attendance. The ice run in Königssee in Bavaria is the location proposed by the Salzburg bid for holding the bobsleigh, luge and skeleton competitions, if Salzburg has the honour to host the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The Königssee ice run was in perfect condition for the World Cup final. This was confirmed by the athletes, including double Olympic champion André Lange: “We have perfect conditions here. The course makes high demands on the athletes, but it is nevertheless good to master. The conditions remain constant, thus a fair competition is guaranteed. Königssee consistently ranks among the top three courses in the world and is worthy of the Olympics. No other solution would make sense for Salzburg. In addition, the atmosphere in Königssee can’t be beaten and, thanks to the large number of fans, the atmosphere is always fabulous.”

Königssee also gets top marks from journalists and TV production companies: “This course offers great imagery and our productions from Königssee are always spectacular. Many courses cannot offer that. It is a comparatively difficult course, but it has a long lasting tradition, with a great atmosphere; a real classic. You always get racing of the highest standard here”, commented the production manager of FIBT-TV.

The photographers also experience good working conditions. Charly Booker, the official photographer of the Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, the FIBT, confirms: “The course lies in the shade, however it is practically perfect from a photo-technical viewpoint, with good lighting conditions. It is only at the start and finish points that it could do with a few more floodlights. Logistically, that poses no problem at all. And Königssee has a great advantage: the atmosphere, both among spectators and athletes, is one of a kind, thanks to the hosts.”

For the FIBT, Königssee is always one of the highlights of the season. FIBT president Bob Storey commented:”For a great competition you need three components: great athletes, an outstanding organization and a great, enthusiastic audience. You have it all here in Königssee.”