Josef Fendt Re-Elected as International Luge Federation President

Germany’s Josef Fendt has been re-elected for a fifth term as President of the International Luge Federation (FIL).

At the 62nd FIL Congress in Innsbruck (Austria), the delegates from 38 member federations confirmed the 66-year-old from Berchtesgaden unanimously by acclamation to head the international Olympic federation. 

Fendt, 1976 Olympic silver medalist as well as World Champion in 1970 and 1974, was elected to this position in June 1994 as successor to FIL founding president Bert Isatitsch of Austria (1957-1994). 

Likewise, Secretary General Svein Romstad (USA) and Austria’s Harald Steyrer as Vice President of Finance were re-elected unanimously. Additionally, Einars Fogelis (LAT) was confirmed in his office as Vice President Technical Matters and Claire DelNegro (USA) as Vice President Sport. 

Austria’s Peter Knauseder is the new Vice President Natural Track. He prevailed over Alfred Jud of Italy. 

Under Fendt’s leadership the number of member federations reached 53 nations. Thanks to the professional management in the Viessmann Luge World Cup series as a flagship event the sport of luge has become an integral part of the Olympic Winter Games program. A lot of attention was given to the Sochi premiere of the FIL Team Relay event that was aggressively promoted by Fendt. 

During his term of office luge doubled its TV presence, publications in the print media continuously increased and there is a remarkable consistency in the commitment of sponsors – since 1996, main sponsor Viessmann has been partner of the FIL. Additionally, BMW Germany is one of the most important FIL partners – apart from Eberspächer, adidas, uvex, DKB and Swiss Timing – since the Olympic winter.