Luge. it is a sport many people know nothing about. Except for the Cool Runnings reference that is. But at the heart of this somewhat unknown sport lies speed, precision and a surprising amount of technology.
Luge is the only "sliding sport" timed to a 1,000th of a second. Luge shares the same track with Bobsled and Skeleton but the similarities end there. Luge is the fastest of all sliding sports and the only sport which has a distinct edge on the runners. Because of this edge, Luge athletes are both blessed and cursed. Blessed with the ability to drive very precise "lines" down the track and cursed with the consequences of not driving properly! Unlike the other sliding sports, it takes years to reach the top of the track and qualify for a race in Luge. Often called the F1 of sliding sports, Lugers are masters of small nuances often not seen by the casual observer yet necessary to not only navigate the course safely but to achieve race-winning speed.
The sport's simplicity is often what draws curiosity from fans and athletes alike. A 50 pound sled and some simple clothing are all a Luge athlete wears as he/she races down the track.
Luge is the only "sliding sport" timed to a 1,000th of a second. Luge shares the same track with Bobsled and Skeleton but the similarities end there. Luge is the fastest of all sliding sports and the only sport which has a distinct edge on the runners. Because of this edge, Luge athletes are both blessed and cursed. Blessed with the ability to drive very precise "lines" down the track and cursed with the consequences of not driving properly! Unlike the other sliding sports, it takes years to reach the top of the track and qualify for a race in Luge. Often called the F1 of sliding sports, Lugers are masters of small nuances often not seen by the casual observer yet necessary to not only navigate the course safely but to achieve race-winning speed.
The sport's simplicity is often what draws curiosity from fans and athletes alike. A 50 pound sled and some simple clothing are all a Luge athlete wears as he/she races down the track.
Luge fast facts...
- Luge is the fastest of all 3 sliding sports
- Luge tracks drop 30+ stories in elevation
- timed to the 1,000th of a second
- Tracks are just under a mile in length (on average)
- Every track is totally different
- Men slide from the top of the track, Women/Doubles slide from 3 curves lower
- Luge is the only sliding sport with a defined edge on their runners
- Top speeds exceed 97mph
- G forces exceed 4 G's
- Luge is the only sliding sport where athletes often can't see where they are going