Luge
Luge, Skeleton and Bobsled are often confused. All three sports compete on the same track, but they are very different and each requires unique skills. Luge athletes reach the highest speeds and ride the most maneuverable sleds. Although it appears that luge athletes are "laying there", they are making small, precise movements, steering the sled all the way down the track while simultaneously trying to maintain an aerodynamic position that is crucial for high speed. A luge sled's maneuverability comes from the sharp edge that it runs on. That edge allows the athletes to drive precise lines down the track. We are able to use the high-pressure generated in the curves to accelerate the sled. Having the ability to harness these tremendous forces is both a blessing and a curse, done correctly it will speed you to victory, done poorly you will pay dearly in flesh (maybe bone too). It often takes Luge athletes many years to master all the subtleties of driving. Experience plays a very large part in the success of athletes; top athletes may have well over 10 years.
The Race
There are three disciplines in Olympic luge competition: men singles, women singles, and doubles. Both World Cup and World Championship races are two heats with the winner being determined by the lowest combined time. At the Olympics there are four heats for singles and two for doubles. We also have team races with one sled from each discipline per country. Each sled takes one run and all three times are added together. Challenge cups are the final type of race format in which we race to advance to the next round.
The start is critical. It is easy to lose with a good start, but hard to win with a bad one. A tenth of a second lost at the start will multiply to several tenths at the bottom. Sitting on the sled we use a set of handles that overhang the ice to pull off and then with our spiked gloves we paddle to accelerate the sled as fast as possible. The time begins when we break a light beam across the track. In doubles the top athlete is belted to the sled with straps at the hips, he grips the start handles while the bottom athlete holds on to straps attached to his team mate's hands. It is a very explosive movement aimed at generating maximum force in minimum time.
Sleds are timed to the 1,000th of a second and many races have been won and lost by that margin. Ties are not that uncommon as well.
Starting Order
The start order is determined by random draw for the A seeded athletes, and a qualifying race for the remainder of the field. Only 30 men, 23 women, and 16 doubles are allowed to race in the World Cup. The slowest from qualifying goes first. It is preferable to have a low start number and run on the cleanest, fastest ice. The second run is ordered with the top 15 sleds racing in reverse order and then from 16th to last.
Ranking and seeding
In World cup competition, points are awarded for each race according to placing. The overall World Cup title is awarded to the athletes accumulating the most points at the end or the season. World cup points form the proceeding three races are used to determine the seeded groups and who will have to qualify for the next race.
Tracks
Most tracks are used for bobsleigh, skeleton and luge competitions. The World Cup luge circuit travels to tracks in Altenberg, Winterberg, Oberhof and Konigssee in Germany; Igls, Austria; La Plagne, France; Lillehammer, Norway; St. Moritz, Switzerland; Lake placid, NY; Park City, UT; Calgary, Canada; Nagano, Japan; and Torino, Italy. All tracks are different with between 14 and 20 curves. Men's singles courses range from a minimum of 1000 meters to a maximum of 1250 meters. For women's and doubles competition, courses range from 750 to 1050 meters.
The Sled
A luge sled is a simple but highly refined machine. It is two runners connected to the seat or pod by two bridges. Steels are bolted to the runners making the running edge. These steels are the single most important part of a sled. Using belt sanders, files, and sandpaper the steels are meticulously maintained and polished. Adjustments to the edge are needed to adapt to different ice conditions and tracks. Completing the sled there is a set of handles to hold onto. The pod is an aerodynamic shell made from fiberglass that wraps around the athletes body and is customized by each athlete. Sled weight is limited to 23kg. for singles and 27kg. for doubles.
Equipment
We are dressed from head to toe in specialized equipment designed to go fast. The helmet is Kevlar. Our suits are skintight. We have spiked gloves. Our shoes are aerodynamic. Under the surface we wear weight. The heaver you are the faster you go down hill. Each athlete’s body weight is run trough a formula that determines the amount of additional weight they are allowed. No consideration is given to warmth. All of the athletes equipment and sled is closely controlled by the rules, lengths, widths everything down to the temperature of the steels.
