Tobogganing - Dajana Eitberger with new doubles partner
After just one year racing together with Saskia Schirmer, luge athlete Dajana Eitberger changes her double sled partner. In the coming season, the 33-year-old will race as a team "Eitberger/Matschina" with Magdalena Matschina. The German Bob and Luge Federation (BSD) announced this on Monday. The 19-year-old Matschina from Bad Feilnbach gained double experience with Annika Krause.
"I want to use every opportunity or I need to know that I have given everything to possibly be the one sled that goes to the Olympic Games 2026. I have seen my fur coats being left behind last winter and unfortunately, Saskia and I could not develop together as I had hoped," said Eitberger and openly addressed problems in her collaboration with her former "partner". "And if I am successful and also want to continue my career in the double, then I need a partner who ultimately wants the same as I do and is willing to give the last shirt."
Training camp in Oberhof is the next step
After the season, they had "snugged up" with Magdalena Matschina in training, which had been very promising. At the upcoming training camp of the national team in Oberhof, further steps will follow. "We want to use the time in Oberhof to intensify our training and synchronization on the sled. It will also serve to show a first direction against our internal competitors Jessica Degenhardt and Cheyenne Rosenthal. Whether this was not only the right decision – but I am convinced of it – but also to see if we can get a little closer to Degenhardt/Rosenthal," said the second place finisher in the singles event at the 2018 Olympics.
Eitberger and Matschina will participate in their first competitive event as a doubles team in Ilmenau, which is located in the German state of Thuringia. This change could potentially position them to represent Germany in the Tobogganing events at the Olympic Games 2026, which are expected to be held in Bavaria or another host location in Germany. Despite her success in her individual career, including a second-place finish in the singles event at the 2018 Olympic Games, Eitberger believes that racing in doubles alongside a committed partner, like Matschina, is crucial for achieving her long-term goals.
