CALGARY—Robert Fegg is returning to Canada to take head coaching reigns of the Canadian Luge Team and guide the program into a new era.
The German has lived in Calgary area with his family since his completing his first stint with the Canadian program from 2003 to 2011. After two seasons as the Junior National Team coach for the United States Luge Association (2018-2020), Fegg was most recently head coach American luge program where he guided the team to the Beijing Winter Games.
“Trust and chemistry are key ingredients to any successful team, so I’m excited to return north and work with many athletes and staff who I already have extensive relationships with to help Canada’s luge athletes achieve their performance goals,” said Fegg. “We have lots of work ahead of us, but with a strong plan in place, I know we will help our youngsters continue to develop, and our top athletes achieve excellence. I am extremely honoured to have the opportunity to work with this group of Canadian sliders.”
Coaching has been in Fegg’s blood since he wrapped up an eight-year career sliding on the German National Team in 2002. He cut his teeth into the coaching ranks the following year when he became the Assistant Coach of the Canadian Luge Team. After playing a key support role in developing Canada’s luge athletes into medal winners for seven years, Fegg took on head coaching responsibilities of the Junior National Team in Canada from 2010-14.
Fegg was recruited as National Team Coach of the Korea Luge Federation in 2014 where he led many new athletes towards their first Olympic Games at home while also building the Team’s competitive sleds. Following the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, Fegg returned to North America for a four-year stint with the Americans.
“Robert is a proven performer who understands the Canadian sport system, has completed much of his coaching education here and is driven to put our young group of Canadian luge athletes back on the international podium,” said Tim Farstad, executive director, Canadian Luge Association. “Robert is committed to developing an athlete-centred program where our athletes can develop on and off the ice.”
Fegg succeeds Wolfgang Staudinger who ended a 15-year stint as head coach of the Canadian program where he led multiple athletes to Olympic, World Championship and World Cup medals. He will officially begin his new role with Team Canada on April 1.
The Canadian Luge Association is a not-for-profit organization responsible for governing the sport of luge across the country. With the financial backing of from the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee and Own the Podium, the Canadian Luge Association safely recruits and develops the nation’s current and future high-performance luge athletes with the goal of regularly climbing onto the international podium. For more information on the Canadian Luge Association, please visit us at www.luge.ca on the Internet.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chris Dornan
Media and Public Relations
Canadian Luge Association
T: 403-620-8731