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Luge
One of the Oldest and Most Dangerous Winter Sports
Sleds, luge in French, are believed to have their origins in Scandinavia circa 800AD as a form of transportation. Today, a luge is used to transport an individual or two person team down an icy track comprised of multiple curves at speedsoif 85 mph, no brakes included. The luge itself is composed of an aerodynamic racing shell suspended from two bridges that connect to the runners, or kufens. The only parts of the sled that touch the ice are the two runners called steels, which are attached to the kufens. There are built in grips for each hand. The athletes, called 'sliders,' wear aerodynamic racing suits and helmets with clear or tinted visors that extend under the chin to further reduce resistance. They are required to wear special zippered shoes that straighten the foot when the zipper is closed. Luge gloves have spiked fingertips to assist with starts and with paddling acceleration onto the track. The sport of luge made its Olympic debut at the 1964 Innsbruck Games. In Olympic singles competition, both men and women athletes take four runs down the track over a two-day period; the aggregate fastest time determines the winner. Women start at a point further down the track than do men. Doubles competition is a one day event in which two-person teams - the heavier slider on top for aerodynamics - take two runs, again with the combined score determining the outcome. Terms to listen for: Kreisel – German for circle; a curve in which the track crosses over itself. Labyrinth – A combination of small curves, typically three to four, on a luge track with little or no straight stretches between them.
Official
Olympic Luge Sites
United States Luge Association
Olympic Luge
News and Guides
ESPN 2006 Olympic Luge & Olympic Bobsled
Olympic Luge
History
Deseret News and KSL Radio, SLC Coverage
ESPN 2002 Olympic Bobsled/Luge
New York Times 2002 Luge Overview
Rocky Mountain News 2002 Luge Guide
USA Today Olympic 2002 Luge News
Washington Post 2002 Olympic Luge Guide
CBS Sports 2002 Olympic Luge History
Other Luge
Sites
Salt Lake Tribune - Luge Tutorial
Luge
Stuff
2002 Salt Lake City Luge Store
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