Winter Olympics Preview: Luge
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History
The fastest and most dangerous of the three Olympic sliding sports, luge made its debut at the Olympics in 1964 with men’s, women’s and a men’s doubles event. The three events have been staples of the Winter Games ever since. In Sochi, a mixed team relay event will be added for the first time. Over the years, Germans have dominated the sport, with teams classified as East Germany, Germany, the Unified Team of Germany and West Germany accounting for four of the top six gold medal winners -- and 70 medals in total.
To even the playing field, lighter competitors are permitted to wear weighted vests. Male competitors under 198 pounds can add up to 28.6 pounds, while women under 165 can add 22 pounds.
Events
Men’s and women’s singles, men’s doubles, mixed team relay
Venue: Sliding Center Sanki
Home of all luge, bobsled and skeleton events at the Winter Games, Sliding Center Sanki is located 37 miles (60 kilometers) northeast of Sochi in Rzhanaya Polyana. The track seats 1,000 and can accommodate another 10,000 in designated standing room areas. The track is considered to be one of the safest in the world, which is unsurprising considering the tragedy that occurred at the Vancouver Olympics.
The Top Story
The death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili at the Whistler Sliding Center prior to the Vancouver Olympics in 2010 will be on the minds of everyone. Games officials insist the track at Sliding Center Sanki is much safer than the track at Whistler, largely due to uphill sections that mitigate speed.
Five Names To Remember
Felix Loch (Germany) - Men’s singles: Loch grabbed the gold in Vancouver, crushing Italian Armin Zoeggeler’s dreams of a third consecutive Olympic title and becoming the youngest man to win an Olympic title in the sport. Still just 24 years old, he’s back as the favorite to top the podium again in Sochi.
Armin Zoeggeler (Italy) - Men’s singles: At age 40, the man known as “The Iceblood Champion” is aiming to become the first athlete to win a sixth Olympic medal in an individual event.
Natalie Geisenberger (Germany) - Women’s singles: The two-time reigning women’s World Cup champion will look to improve on her bronze medal in Vancouver. At just 25 years old, she represents the future of women’s luge for her nation.
Tatjana Hufner (Germany) - Women’s singles: The gold medalist in Vancouver, Hufner’s recent performances on the world stage suggest that she on the downturn of her career.
Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt (Germany) - Men’s doubles: The World Cup champions are winners of six of eight races this season. They’re heavy favorites.
Three Terms You Need To Know
Supine: The face-up position lugers take on their sleds. It’s what separates the sport from skeleton, where athletes lie face-down (and face-first).
Biffing: Striking the side walls of the track. Best avoided for those who aim to win.
Pod: The fiberglass seat of the sled that sits atop two steel blades.
Previews for each individual event below.