| Natural Track News from 12.05.10 | Natural Track |
| Natural track luge athletes of the season |
At the end of April, the Aqotec natural track luge athletes of the past season were chosen in Landeck. As last year, the election was organized by Sportarena TV together with World Cup presenter Aqotec. The jury, which consisted of various sports journalists and representatives of the International Luge Federation (FIL) and sponsors, again elected Italy's Patrick Pigneter as athlete of the season. Pigneter was elected in men's singles as well as in doubles, together with his partner Florian Clara. In men's singles, he won ahead of the two Austrians Thomas Kammerlander and Thomas Schopf. As already in 2009, Russia's Ekatharina Lavrentjewa won the election of the female athlete of the season. Second place went to Renate Gietl (ITA), and third place to Austria's Melanie Batkowski. Evelin Lanthaler (ITA), this year's Junior World Champion, won the election of the „Rookie of the Year", ahead of Alex Gruber and Kaj Johnson from Canada.
Results of the election of the Aqotec natural track luge athletes of the 2009/2010 season:
Men's singles
1. Patrick Pigneter (ITA) – World Champion, European Champion, Overall World Cup champion 09/10
2. Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) – Deputy World Champion, Deputy European Champion, 1st Team European Championships 2010,
3. Thomas Schopf (AUT) – Two-time World Cup winner 2009/2010
Women's singles
1. Ekatharina Lavrentjewa (Rus) – European Champion, Overall World Cup Champion 2009/10
2. Renate Gietl (ITA) – World Champion, 2nd Overall World Cup 2009/10
3. Melanie Batkowski (AUT) – 3rd Overall World Cup 2009/10, 1st Team European Championships 2010
Doubles
1. Pigneter/Clara (ITA) – World Champions, European Champions – Overall World Cup Champions 2009/10
2. Schopf/Schopf (AUT) – 3rd Overall World Cup 2009/10, 1st Team European Championships 2010
3. Porshnev/Lazarev (RUS) – 2nd Overall World Cup 2009/10
Rookie of the Year
1. Evelyn Lanthaler (ITA) – Women – 4th Overall World Cup 2009/10, Junior World Champion
2. Alex Gruber (ITA) – Men – 9th Overall World Cup 2009/10, 2nd European Championships Team
3. Kaj Johnson (Can) – Men – various top 10 ranks World Cup 09/10
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