Only gold is still missing

Age limit eliminated! World Championship comeback at the age of 57

Carinthia's stick shooter "Gogo" Stranig leads Austria at the home World Championships.

(Bild: HERBERT PENDL)

Until now, the age limit for the Austrian national curling team was 52. For the home World Championships in Kapfenberg, however, this has been lifted - so that the Carinthian veteran "Gogo" Stranig can lead the team at the age of 57. He already has silver (2004) and bronze (2008) - the gold medal should now complete the collection.

Austria's pole sportsmen are relying on routine! Previously, the age limit for the national team was 52 - but for the home World Championships in Styria, this has been eliminated by the federation. So that Rottendorf ace "Gogo" Stranig can celebrate his comeback at a world championship after 17 years. "Of course I was delighted and trained even longer and more intensively - after all, it's my very last big chance to win the World Championship title.

With the Rottendorf curling team, Günther Stranig (second from right) has been one of Austria's elite for years.

(Bild: Matthaeus Leiner)

On the ice for 50 years
Because it probably won't be long now until the end of his career. "I've been on the ice since I was seven years old and I'm celebrating my 50th anniversary this year. That's a long time and after a certain age, things don't work out the way they used to," admits the stick sport evergreen.

The federation also wanted to have routine in the team for the home World Championships. That's why I'm celebrating my World Championship comeback after 17 years - a great honor at the end of my stick sports career.

WM-Teilnehmer Günther STRANIG

Competes as "Moar
He won silver in Graz in 2004 and bronze in Ritten in 2008. "So the only thing missing is the gold," grins "Gogo", who as "Moar" for red-white-red will always start and then assign his teammates: "It's a responsible job. Because the pressure is greater at home, the association wanted me to do it." Also because there hasn't been a home title since 1983 (!).

Three-way battle for gold
Two tough opponents await with Germany and Italy. As usual, this trio will battle it out for the medals: "We have to place well in the preliminary round." This will be played on Wednesday and Friday - the final on Sunday.