RIP Georgian Luger Dude

[rgramjet]

Man I hope they build up that wall.
Too young to go...

[mojo]

They should build some kind of net or something similar to keep the sledders on the track.  I watched the video of the accident, and I wish I didn't.  That "thud" noise from the hit just gives me the creeps.  The only good thing is that it happened so fast that he probably didn't see it coming, and he probably (hopfully) didn't feel anything.

RIP Nodar Kumaritashvili

[cyrus buelton]

From what I have read, a lot of his competitors said the track was pushing it a bit too much.

Well, guess that turned out to be true. Poor guy. Sad story.

In other words.......

People on my facebook are make the beast with two backsing idiots.

They had all these posts about the death of this athlete and prayers for the US Team.

They all thought he was from Georgia...............USA Georgia.


Seriously?


Amazing how moronic some are.


Rest in Peace bro. I hope you loved your sport enough to be happy giving your life for it. My best friend is a professional race car driver and we've discussed this issue. I will always know that if something tragic happened (which almost did a few years ago at Homestead in practice) that he died a happy person doing what he loved and it was his passion. I hope this Luger had the same feelings.


God Speed.

[LA]

Why the make the beast with two backs is the track built with columns right in the path that one would take if you are thrown off the course?

I know nothing about luge, but does that make any sense at all?

LA

[teddy037.2]

They had all these posts about the death of this athlete and prayers for the US Team.

They all thought he was from Georgia...............USA Georgia.

i'm just taking a minute to  at this in an otherwise serious sort of thd.

I hope they get that section of track sorted before anyone else gets hurt

[Grappa]

Why the make the beast with two backs is the track built with columns right in the path that one would take if you are thrown off the course?

I know nothing about luge, but does that make any sense at all?

LA

I thought the same thing.  Not like we have telephone poles and such just off the track in Moto GP races.  There is a clear wash-out zone for those who lose control.  Why not the same in luge?  RIP Georgian luge dude.

[teddy037.2]

I thought the same thing.  Not like we have telephone poles and such just off the track in Moto GP races.  There is a clear wash-out zone for those who lose control.  Why not the same in luge?  RIP Georgian luge dude.

iirc, the article I read mentioned that most of the track had padding and whatnot, just not the section where the guy crashed

I guess most of the time, when you wash out, you just keep sliding down the tube...

idk the last time I've seen a luge/bobsled/skeleton fly out of it

[cyrus buelton]

Is the Luge Course the same as Bobsled?

or does Luge share the same course as skeleton or skeletor racing, whatever those crazy mofo's do head first down that track.

[Kopfjäger]

Is the Luge Course the same as Bobsled?

or does Luge share the same course as skeleton or skeletor racing, whatever those crazy mofo's do head first down that track.

Same track. I read somewhere this is a $100 million facility.


http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-bobsleigh/

[cyrus buelton]

I wonder if they some how modify the track in a way to accommodate the different sports.

I would think a 4 man bobsled would want a longer track then a 1 person luge racer.

Maybe a different starting point higher up and a small track modification that switches into a section?

[Raux]

what i read is they are going to start the men's race at the women's start point. also apparently he had hit a speed of 144 KPH and at turns 15 to 16 had pull so many G's that it collapsed him hard against his luge and he had trouble steering and made an error. the same error 3 or 4 times out of 16 runs before he finally crashed against the rail.

they raised the side of the track as well in that area, little late.

tough tough stuff, but have to wonder at what point does his coach say, you know what, i don't think you're ready for this track. 25% crash rate... wow.

[Kopfjäger]

I wonder if they some how modify the track in a way to accommodate the different sports.

I would think a 4 man bobsled would want a longer track then a 1 person luge racer.

Maybe a different starting point higher up and a small track modification that switches into a section?

Not positive, but I think all three disciplines compete on the same length track. Slightly different starting points.

[rgramjet]

Padding the columns wouldn't do anything.  They need some thick hockey glass or something to contain the sledder.  Same thing could easily happen again.

[cyrus buelton]

Not positive, but I think all three disciplines compete on the same length track. Slightly different starting points.

Not positive, but I think all three disciplines compete on the same length track. Slightly different starting points.

\\

They shortened the mens course to the start of the women's luge from what it seems like.


Off comment:


How do they steer these things?

Is it leg movement against those "horns" they grab when they stop at the end of the course?

[derby]

How do they steer these things?

Is it leg movement against those "horns" they grab when they stop at the end of the course?

yup...