Luge 37779 225300152 2008-07-12T23:38:07Z DaughterofSun 6715754 interwiki [[Image:Queenstown Luge.jpg|thumb|250px|A recreational luge track in [[Queenstown, New Zealand|Queenstown]], [[New Zealand]]]] A '''luge''' is a small one- or two-person [[sled]] on which one sleds [[Supine position|supine]] and feet-first. Steering is done by flexing the sled's runners with the calf of each leg or exerting opposite shoulder pressure to the seat. Luge is also the name of the [[sport]] which involves racing with such sleds. It is a competition in which these sleds race against the clock. == History == Luge, like the [[Skeleton (sport)|skeleton]], and the [[Bobsleigh|bobsled]], originated in the health-spa town of [[St Moritz]], [[Switzerland]], in the mid-to-late [[nineteenth century]], through the endeavours of hotel entrepreneur [[Caspar Badrutt]]. Badrutt successfully sold the idea of winter resorting, as well as rooms with food, drink, and activities. His more adventurous English guests began adapting delivery boys' sleds for recreation, which led to collisions with pedestrians as they sped down the lanes and alleys of the village. This had two outcomes: in the short term the guests began to devise methods of steering the sleds, and so invented the [[Skeleton (sport)|skeleton]] (head first, [[prone]]), the luge (feet first, [[Supine position|supine]]), and the two- and four-man [[bobsleigh]]s. In the long term, in the interests of pedestrian safety, he built a special track for his guests' activities &mdash; the world's first "half-pipe", in about [[1870]]. [[St. Moritz-Celerina Olympic Bobrun|The track]] is still in use today; it has been used as a venue in two [[Olympiads]], and is one of the few natural weather tracks that do not depend on artificial refrigeration. Its success eventually enabled Badrutt to build the [[Badrutt's Palace Hotel|Palace Hotel]]; he was able to retain the popular [[Krup Hotel]], which catered for different clientèle and brought in competition as Alpine winter tourism increased in popularity. <!--- This preceding historic sketch is information presented on History International 12-7-06 fabartus ---> The first organized meeting of the sport took place in [[1883]] in [[Switzerland]]. In [[1913]], the Internationale Schlittensportverband or International Sled Sports Federation, was founded in [[Dresden]] ([[Germany]]). This body governed the sport until [[1935]], when it was incorporated in the [[Fédération Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing]] (FIBT, International Bobsleigh and Tobogganing Federation). After it had been decided that luge would replace the sport of [[Skeleton (sport)|skeleton]] at the [[Olympic Games]], the first [[FIL World Luge Championships|World Championships]] in the sport were held in [[FIL World Luge Championships 1955|1955]] in [[Oslo]] ([[Norway]]). In [[1957]], the [[Fédération Internationale de Luge de Course]] (FIL, International Luge Federation) is founded. Luge events were first included in the [[Olympic Winter Games]] in [[Luge at the 1964 Winter Olympics|1964]]. == Rules == [[Image:Canada Olympic Park 2006 Dec 9 - 16.jpg|thumb]] The rules are simple in luge. The course is timed, and the luger must depart from the start handles within a certain time once the track is declared clear. The luger or pilot is required to arrive at the finish with the sled and in sliding position, athletes may no longer push their sleds across the finish line. Failure to do so results in automatic disqualification. However, lugers are permitted to stop during a run and continue their descent after repositioning the sled on the track, but the luger will be disqualified if touched by the track crew or a fan while in the race. There are weight restrictions on the sleds, as well as restrictions on the design and construction. The 'steels' (the metal blades on the bottom of the runners on which the sled slides) must be within a certain temperature range relative to the air temperature. There are also weight restrictions on the athletes, as well as many other restrictions related to equipment including [[speedsuit]]s, boots, helmets, gloves, spikes, etc. Like other timed sports, qualifying determines start position, important during deteriorating track conditions. During World Cup and World Championship events, two runs determine the winners of the Men's Singles, Women's Singles, and Doubles events. At the [[Winter Olympics]], Men and Women Single event are timed over four runs while the Doubles still do two runs. For the World Cup and World Championship Team Event, one run each is performed from the respective country's Doubles, Women's Singles, and Men's Singles with the combined time determining the winner. The Challenge Cup is a single round elimination event, similar to what you see in [[Drag Racing]] or [[Pursuit racing|Team pursuit track cycling]] where the sliders have a qualifying round to get bracketed, then run down the track in respective rounds (quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals) until a winner is determined. ==Artificial tracks== ''For more information, please see [[List of bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton tracks]]''. Artificial Tracks have specially designed and constructed banked curves plus walled-in straights. Most tracks are artificially refrigerated, but artificial tracks without artificial cooling also exist (for example, St. Moritz). Tracks tend to be very smooth. The athletes ride in an aerodynamic and flat position on the sled, keep their heads low to minimise air resistance. The sled is steered mainly with the feet by applying pressure on the runners. It takes a precise mix of shifting body weight, applying pressure with the shoulders and rolling the head. There are also handles for minor adjustments. They speed around high banked curves while experiencing a centripetal pull of up to 7G. Men's Singles have their start locations near where the [[bobsled]] and [[skeleton(sport)|skeleton]] competitors start at most tracks while both the Doubles and Women's Singles competition have their starthouse located further down the track. Artificial track Luge is the fastest and most agile sledging sport. ==Natural track luge== ''Please see [[List of natural luge tracks]].'' Natural tracks are adapted from existing mountain roads and paths. Artificially banked curves are not permitted. The track's surface must be horizontal. They are naturally iced. The use of artificial refrigeration is forbidden. Tracks can get rough from the braking and steering action. Athletes use a steering reign and drag their hands and use their legs in order to drive around the tight flat corners. Braking is often required in front of curves and is accomplished by the use of spikes built on the bottom of the shoes. Most of the tracks are situated in [[Austria]] and [[Italy]], others in Germany, [[Poland]], [[Russia]], [[Slovenia]], [[Canada]] and the [[United States]]. The Upper Peninsula Luge Club in Negaunee, MI is home to one of only five lighted natural track luge runs in the world, and the only natural track in the United States. The half-mile track features 29 curves along its 88-meter vertical drop. The hill hosts international luge events and offers luge instruction to the public during the winter months. [[FIL World Luge Natural Track Championships|World championships]] have been held since [[FIL World Luge Natural Track Championships 1979|1979]] while [[FIL European Luge Natural Track Championships|European championships]] have been held since [[FIL European Luge Natural Track Championships 1970|1970]]. ==Events== *Singles - Men/Women *Doubles - Men (technically women can compete in doubles but it's almost never practiced) *Team *Challenge Cup In a team competition one man, one woman and a doubles form a team. Such teams may consist of athletes of two different nations when each nation cannot field a full team. There is also a relay competition which is still being developed. ==Governing body== The sport of luge is governed by the FIL, Fédération International de Luge de Course. The FIL is located in [[Berchtesgaden]], Germany and is dominated by German representatives. The following persons have been president of the FIL: *Bert Isatitsch, [[Austria]] (1957-1994) *Josef Fendt, [[Germany]] (1994-current) == Champions == *[[FIL European Luge Championships]] *[[FIL European Luge Natural Track Championships]] *[[FIL World Luge Championships]] *[[FIL World Luge Natural Track Championships]] *[[List of Luge World Cup champions]] *[[Luge at the Winter Olympics]] ==See also== * [[Bobsled]] * [[Skeleton (sport)]] * [[Toboggan]] * [[Street luge]] ==References== *[http://www.fil-luge.org/ International Luge Federation] *[http://www.bsd-portal.de/ Bob- und Schlittenverband für Deutschland/German Luge Federation] *[http://www.rodel-austria.at/ Österreichischer Rodelverband/Austrian Luge Federation] *[http://www.usaluge.org/ United States Luge Association] *[http://www.gbla.org.uk/ British Luge Association] {{Commonscat|Luge}} {{Bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton}} [[Category:Luge]] [[Category:Olympic sports]] [[Category:Racing vehicles]] [[Category:Human-powered vehicles]] [[bg:Пързаляне с едноместна шейна]] [[ca:Luge]] [[da:Kælk (sportsgren)]] [[de:Rennrodeln]] [[es:Luge]] [[fr:Luge]] [[it:Slittino]] [[nl:Rodelen]] [[ja:リュージュ (競技)]] [[no:Aking]] [[pt:Luge]] [[ro:Sanie]] [[ru:Санный спорт]] [[fi:Ohjaskelkkailu]] [[sv:Rodel]] [[tl:Luge]] [[zh:無舵雪橇]]