You discovered luge at the age of 7. What is it that still draws you to the ice track today?
Anna Berreiter:
"Even as a child, I was fascinated by speed. Luge is one of the fastest sports in the world. It is measured to a thousandth of a second. These are fractions of a second that you can't even stop with your mobile phone. So it's all about precision and avoiding the smallest mistakes. I have to make decisions at lightning speed. Milliseconds decide whether I win or lose."
What role does your sled play in these decisions?
Anna Berreiter:
"My sledge is a high-performance device. It is made by hand. The precision that is demanded of me in the ice channel is already in every detail. I assemble it myself with technicians and pay attention to the tiniest millimetre. The question of which material to use is one of the first decisions I have to make. For me, this really is the highest art of engineering - customised work that determines my success and is really close to my heart."
Sounds like you've built up an emotional bond with your sled.
Anna Berreiter:
"My sledge is my sanctuary. I want to have it with me all the time. I worked on it myself and know the manual labour, love and precision behind it. It also makes me proud that I know where all the parts come from. It's a unique piece that you can't buy anywhere else and that is constantly evolving with me. We're always looking at what we can change to make it even better."