Georg Hackl: German luge legend becomes coach in Austria
The German luge legend Georg Hackl is looking forward to his new job as a trainer in Austria. At the same time, he emphasized that he was leaving the German association without resentment.
“I was simply drawn to the challenge with Austria. Of course there was also an improvement in pay, otherwise you wouldn’t change jobs. But the important reason was that I had more freedom in the summer,” said the 55-year-old Bavarian at Sport1.
Tobogganing: German legend Georg Hackl is moving to Austria as a coach
His contract with the Austrian Luge Federation (ÖRV) initially runs for the Olympic cycle until 2026; this year the next winter games will be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The man from Berchtesgaden is supposed to advise and support the Austrian toboggan team, especially in questions of material.
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“Schorsch under the Austrian flag means above all that we want to bring the horsepower of the Austrian tobogganists and tobogganing to the ground,” said ÖRV President Markus Prock, who was once Hackl’s permanent rival in the ice channel.
Georg Hackl won gold at the Olympic Games three times
Hackl explained that he should not move to Innsbruck to be part of the ÖRV coaching team in the future. “No. I have the opportunity to do a large part of the work in the home office in the summer. In winter, of course, I have to be there as a toboggan trainer to contribute my expertise,” said Hackl, who, in addition to three Olympic gold medals in 1992, 1994 and 1998, also won two silver medals as well as numerous World Championship titles and a total of 33 World Cup races.
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The ÖRV has now actively approached him. “It’s also no secret that this offer has been approached by the Austrian side for several years. Up until now I had always refused because I was still in the Bundeswehr and didn’t want to give up my status as a professional soldier,” explained Hackl. “But now I retired from the German Armed Forces on October 1, due to my age.”