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Ask an Athlete...
Ever wonder how fast you can go on a luge sled or why the athletes have spikes on the end of their gloves? Well, here are the answers!
We've asked athletes and coaches of the USA Luge National Team to answer questions submitted by you the fans. Each week, we hand pick a few questions to be answered online. Entrants will be notified via e-mail if their question is chosen and will be sent a Luge-related prize.
Please click here to submit another question
Good luck!
Peter, 39, from Katowalt, NY asks: Q: Are the LazerLuge sleds the same weight as the sleds used in international competition?
Courtney Zablocki, 4th place finisher at the 2006 Olympic Games in Torino, writes back:
A: The sleds used in international competition are a bit different from the ones used at the Verizon Luge Challenge. The sleds used at the Verizon Luge Challenge are made of plastic. This includes the runners on the bottom of the sled. The sleds used for competition are made of fiberglass so they are sturdier but at the same time, flexible which allows for us steer a bit better. Also, the runners are made of steel instead of plastic. Because of the difference in composition, the real sleds used are a bit heavier between 50 and 55 lbs.
Kari, 12, from Ocean Shores, WA asks: Q: How long is the luge course in the Olympics?
Ashley Hayden, 2007 Senior National Champion and member of the 2006 USA Luge Olympic Team, writes back:
A: There are a number of different luge tracks in the world, each of which is different in length and elevations. The length of a luge course can vary from three-quarters of a mile to just over a mile. The elevation from the start of the track to the finish can be anywhere from twenty-five to thirty stories.
Natalie, 16, from Gig Harbor, WA asks: Q: Were you naturally good at luging or did it take a lot of practice?
Mark Grimmette, silver medalist at the 2002 Olympic Games, writes back:
A: I wouldn't consider myself a natural luge athlete. I've had to work very hard to get where I am at in this sport. Right now, I take between 250 and 300 runs in a full season of training and racing. However, earlier in my career, that number was closer to between 400 and 500 runs. In order to improve my technique from one run to the next, I've had to watch videos of my run and listen to my coaches opinion on what I should do different. In addition, over the years, I've seen my body change and develop to allow me to be the luge athlete I am today.
Therese, 44, from Whitney Point, New York asks: Q: Do athletes still practice luge in Lake Placid?
Gordy Sheer, silver medalist in the 1998 Nagano Games and USA Luge marketing director, writes back:
A: Yes, luge athletes still spend quite a bit of time in Lake Placid. The luge track at Mt. Van Hoevenberg was constructed in the year 2000 to replace the aging 1980 Olympic facilities. The track regularly hosts world class competitions, including World Cup competitions in 2007, the Junior World Championships in 2008 and the World Championships in 2009.
In addition to the luge track at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, the athletes also spend their summers training on the fully refrigerated indoor luge start training complex located within the USA Luge headquarters. To maintain the power and strength needed to be successful in the sport, athletes spend hours working out at the Olympic Training Center, which also provides housing and meals.
Keiran, 11, from Carroll Valley, Pennsylvania asks:
Q: How does one get started luging?
Christian Niccum, 2006 Olympian, writes back:
A: First off you probably have already started the sport just by going sledding because luge is the French word for sled. I still haven't figured out why in English we use the French word for sled.
Now if you want to get involved in the sport of luge /9where you can reach speeds in excess of 90mph while winding a icy shoot with banked wall turns pulling up to 5 G's) you would start by visiting the USA Luge website (www.usaluge.org). There you will find information about the "Verizon Slider Search" which is a recruitment tour that is used to bring athletes ages 10-14 years old into the sport. The tour goes through about 8 to 12 cities in the summertime.
So, if you want get involved and try the sport of luge, find the closest Verizon Slider Search venue to your home and show up ready to learn the fastest sport on ice.
Michael, 11, from Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania asks:
Q: How many layers do you wear when luging?
Tony Benshoof, bronze medalist in the 2007 Challenge Cup Series, writes back:
A: I usually wear only 1 thin layer of thermal underwear beneath the Luge Suit. During training, I might wear 2 layers if it is very cold out but you want to keep the layers to a minimum for 2 main reasons... 1) it is difficult to feel the sled beneath you if you are wearing layers that are too thick and 2) because of aerodynamics, you want to keep your suit as tight to your body as possible.
The suit is also very thin so sometimes things can get a bit cold! But with that said, luge athletes don't spend a lot of time outside since there is a warming house at the top and bottom of the track.
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