Luge is the fastest of the sliding sports. Athletes lie face-up on small sleds, racing down icy tracks at speeds exceeding 150 km/h - with only their bodies for brakes.
How Luge Works
Athletes start by sitting at the top of the track, gripping handles on either side. They rock back and forth to build momentum, then push off and lie back.
Once moving, they steer using:
- Shoulder pressure on the sled
- Leg pressure through their calves on the runners
- Subtle weight shifts
The goal is to find the perfect line through each curve - too high wastes time, too low risks crashing.
Luge vs Skeleton vs Bobsled
| Sport | Position | Direction | Team Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luge | Lying back, face-up | Feet-first | 1 or 2 |
| Skeleton | Lying prone, face-down | Head-first | 1 |
| Bobsled | Sitting in enclosed sled | Feet-first | 2 or 4 |
Luge is fastest because the feet-first position allows athletes to lie flat, reducing air resistance.
Events
- Men's Singles: 4 runs, combined time
- Women's Singles: 4 runs, combined time
- Doubles: 2 runs, one athlete lies on top of the other
- Team Relay: 1 run each by women's, men's, and doubles teams
The Track
Luge tracks are between 1,000-1,500 meters long with multiple curves. Some famous tracks:
- Lake Placid, USA - Site of historic competitions
- Whistler, Canada - One of the fastest tracks
- Sigulda, Latvia - Eastern European powerhouse venue
Safety
Modern luge is safer than ever, with:
- Padded walls on dangerous curves
- Aerodynamic helmets
- Speed limits on some tracks
But it remains extreme - athletes experience forces up to 5G in the curves.
Start Technique
The start is crucial. Athletes wear gloves with small spikes to grip the ice during their powerful paddle strokes. A hundredth of a second at the start can mean several hundredths at the finish.
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