As of: January 30, 2024, 7:31 a.m
By: Melanie Gottschalk
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Luge star Felix Loch revealed at the World Championships in Altenberg that his father Norbert – the national coach – will not fulfill his contract until 2026.
Munich – Summer is over!
The successful national toboggan coach Norbert Loch will terminate his contract, which runs until 2026, early; his successor has already been chosen.
However, it was not he himself who announced this decision, but rather his son, toboggan star Felix Loch.
Felix Loch announces his father Norbert's resignation as national toboggan coach
At the Toboggan World Championships taking place in Altenberg, Saxony, the 34-year-old said: “My father, some people will know, is leaving it after the season or is resigning.” Felix Loch also named his successor directly.
“Patric Leitner is taking over,” he said.
Leitner himself is a former world-class luger, including the 2002 Olympic doubles champion and eight-time world champion.
Norbert Loch took over as national coach in 2008, after the end of the World Cup in Altenberg he said: “I just shed a little tear,” Norbert Loch said a little later: “If you think about it like that, then I think it's nice The fact that he said it is quite fitting.
It has been a very long time, I would like to hand over a very well-functioning team to our new head coach.”
They cheered together for many years, and now toboggan star Felix Loch has announced his father's resignation as national coach in the summer.
© Wunderl/imago
Toboggan star Felix Loch talks about his future
With Leitner as the new national coach, the German team is “very well positioned,” as Felix Loch said after his third place in the men’s singles at the end of the Luge World Championships.
Felix Loch has so far won everything there is to win in tobogganing.
There are three Olympic gold medals, 14 world championship titles and seven overall World Cup victories.
Unlike his father, he isn't thinking about quitting yet.
He “definitely” wants to drive until 2026.
“I’m not even discussing it.
After that, I always say, we’ll let ourselves be surprised.” He sees his future as continuing to be part of the German toboggan team.
“In the end, I probably won’t be sitting in the train, but next to it.” However, he ruled out working as a national coach for the time being.
Nathalie Geisenberger, on the other hand, decided to end her career just a few months ago.
(msb/dpa)