Luge

I

Introduction

Luge, winter sports event in which competitors slide down a twisting, ice-covered course while lying on their backs with their feet at the front of a runnered, sled-like vehicle. The luge (French for sled) is also the name given to the sled; the competitors are known as sliders or lugers. In competition there are singles and doubles (men only) events and sliders take part on artificial and natural tracks.

II

Equipment and Clothing

The luge shell is built of fibreglass and has attached steel runners (steels) that run over the surface of the ice. Projecting runners called kufens emerge from the front of the luge and the slider rests his or her feet outside them and uses pressure on them in order to steer the luge. Crucially, the luge has no brakes; to stop the luge at the end of the run the slider sits up and pulls the front of the luge upwards. Luges cannot exceed prescribed weights: 23 kg (50y lb) for singles and 27 kg (59y lb) for doubles. The luges are built to aerodynamic designs, and luge competitors strive to improve their speed by creating as little air resistance as possible.

Sliders wear all-in-one skin-tight suits and special shoes to counter drag as they travel feet first. Helmets and gloves provide protection, with the gloves having spikes at the fingertips to help the luger “paddle” or “claw” against the ice at the start to propel the luge on its way.

III

Rules of the Sport

Starting from a sitting position, the competitor leans back as soon as the luge gains momentum and steers the sled down the course by shifting his or her body weight and applying pressure to the sled's kufens. Competitors race each other against the clock, and the best combined times determine the winner. There are two runs in singles events (uniquely four at the Winter Olympics) and two runs in doubles. Luge courses are specially constructed and feature a number of standard turns and curves (left and right turns, a hairpin turn, an S-turn, and a labyrinth) as well as straight stretches. Courses measure between 1,300 m and 1,500 m (3,565 ft and 4,920 ft) and are often equipped with lighting for night competitions. Courses for women tend to be shorter, in the region of 800 to 1,200 m (2,625 ft to 3,385 ft) Speeds can reach between 120 and 135 km/hr (74 to 83 mph).

The governing body of the sport is the International Luge Federation (FIL), formed in 1957 and based at Berchtesgaden in Germany.

IV

History

Historical evidence suggests that the Vikings used sledges with two runners. In relatively more modern times the luge has been a popular sport in Europe since the late 19th century, with the first organized competition taking place in Davos, Switzerland, in 1883.