The “luge” is a Winter Olympic event and will be featured in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, which will be held from February 12, 2010 to February 28, 2010.http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-luge/

The word “luge” is actually translated into English as “sled”, according to Audio English the definitions for luge are:

1. Luge, verb - move along on a luge or toboggan
2. Luge, noun - a racing sled for one or two peoplehttp://www.audioenglish.net/dictionary/luge.htm

In luge, the rider is called a “slider”http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/snow-sports/luge.htm/printable. The luge event consists of lying down on a fibreglass sled, complete with absolutely no brakes and speeding downhill at speeds of up to about 90MPH.

Here are some facts about luge courses:

• There are two types of luge course: “natural” and “artificial”http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/snow-sports/luge1.htm

• A typical luge course drops about 300 to 400 feet (90-120 m)
• A luge run typically takes about 1 minute to complete
• A luge course will include straights, left/right turns, down hills sections and at least one s-type curve stretch, which consist of three or four consecutive turns with no straights between them.

Common luge terms

• Aerodynamic drag: This impact upon the slider/sled combination and drag occurs where there is resistance to motion throughout the air. The lower the amount of drag, the higher the speed will be.
• Strength - A tremendous amount of strength is required to get the luge to move at the start of the course.
• Gravity - The pull/force of gravity draws the slider and luge along the course.
• Friction – Friction can considerably slow the speed of the luge down; this is where forces work against gravity.
• G-force: A g is equivalent to the force exerted by gravity. Gravity is measured as the force acting on a body when it is accelerating. As an example if a slider experiences 3G’s in a turn, his body would feel three times its normal weight when the slider is inactive.

A historical timeline for the luge is shown below:

• 800 - The Vikings are said to have used devices very similar to a luge
• 1883 - The first international luge racing event was held
• 1904 - The oldest known luge in existence comes from Norway
• 1935 - The luge was admitted to FIBT, a world regulating body for winter sportshttp://www.indopedia.org/Luge.html
• 1955 - The first luge World Championships are staged in Oslo, Norway
• 1957 - 13 different countries form a new governing body, Federation Internationale de Luge (FIL)
• 1964 - First luge at the Olympics of Innsbruck, Austriahttp://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/1964/LUG/womens-singles.html

We have broken this guide down into three steps, these are listed below:

• Step 1: Conditioning requirements to luge
• Step 2: Equipment you will need to luge
• Step 3: Technique required to luge

The luge is a very demanding event on the human body. In step 1 we discuss the various physical conditioning regimes adopted by many luge athletes.

G-Force preparation Luge athletes must prepare for G Forces, these are challenging and can be overcome by good physical and mental health and especially improve with athlete experience. G Forces will challenge the luge athlete during the run, especially when moving through a tight turn. The G Forces experienced by luge athletes can be compared to those experienced by Fighter Pilots or Astronauts. An average turn in a luge run exerts an average force of about 3G. Certain luge turns cause 5G of pressure to the luge athlete.

Upper body strength As much upper body strength as possible is needed for the luge. This strength will help at the beginning of the run when paddling to the first slope. The extra muscle will also provide extra weight, which will increase the speed of the luge. If a luge athlete is in prime condition, the G Force mentioned previously will have less of an effect.

Mental conditioning A great deal of mental conditioning is required, a luge slider:

1. Requires absolute focus during the run
2. Needs to memorize every nuance of the course to reduce the time of the run
3. Must show no fear; a luge run is a very challenging activity
4. Must love speed, with runs travelling up to 90MPH

Training Schedule All of the following forma a standard part of a luge athletes training:

1. Swimming – For all round body fitness and upper body muscle strength
2. Weight training – For body strength, especially upper body
3. Calisthenics – This is a form of exercise, which is based on a mixture of simple body movements. These movements use the weight of the athlete’s body as resistance. When performed body strength and flexibility are increased, without the use of weight training or associated equipment
4. Wind tunnels – These are used to practice the effects of wind and to achieve absolute minimal aerodynamic drag effect for an actual luge run

In step 2 we explore the equipment needed for the luge event. This is vital to the protection and performance of the athlete.

Luge athletes value the following, more than they value a sense of style/fashion:

• Aerodynamics – Equipment designed to cut through wind resistance
• Minimized friction – Try on all clothes as a suit (sometimes individual pieces fit, but do not assemble well, all clothing needs to be tight but also cover the body
• Reduced weight – Clothing should be as lightweight as possible

Luge Sled A luge consists of a piece of fiberglass which has been mounted on two metal steels. The pod is where the luge athlete’s body is placed. The steels are the only luge part, which make contact with the ice. The luge runners are the main method in which the luge is steered. The runners steer using legs, which apply pressure on either side to control direction. The luge direction can also be controlled by making movements of the shoulder which move body weight from side to side. There are also two grips on the two sides of the luge; these grips are the only hold the luge athlete has to stay onboard. The luge weighs approximately 50 - 60 pounds (or 23-27 kg) and typically stretches from the slider's shoulders to their knees. No head support is provided.

Luge Helmet Luge helmets are a critical speed and safety feature. They feature a rounded plastic visor along with a thin layer of protective padding to protect the head and prevent concussions. A good helmet is designed specifically to reduce aerodynamic drag effects. A helmet allows for a wider, complete track viewpoint and extends under the chin, which reduces friction.

Racing suit Luge suits are entirely smooth and contain no zippers and/or snaps, which would slow down sliders during a race. Luge suits are skin tight, which enables air to pass over the body with minimal friction. Most luge teams wear racing suits, which share common color schemes and graphics.

Luge spiked gloves Luge gloves are available from specialist winter sports suppliers. Luge gloves are quite similar to soccer goal keeper's gloves and have a thin layer across the backhand. Luge gloves have spikes contained in the palm of the hand and along the tips of the fingers. These spikes enable riders to grip the ice during the start of the luge run.

Racing booties Luge racing booties resemble just the inner lining of winter boots. Regrettably booties provide fairly minimal protection from the cold. The booties straighten out a rider's feet and increase speed along the luge track. The luge booties zippers draw the sliders feet into a perfectly straight position, which causes frontal drag to be minimized.

In step 3 we discuss the technique required throughout a luge run..

Luge technique The slider uses the spiked fingers of their gloves to paddle the luge from the starting gate. A slider needs to be extremely strong to make the luge move initially. Once the slider has got the luge to move, gravity kicks in and speed naturally accelerates. As the slider steers throughout the course, friction is the main enemy to speed and works against gravity to slow the slider down.

As the start of the downhill section approaches, the slider lies prone on the sled. This is the body position for the remainder of the run. From this prone position, the slider can only life their head slightly to calculate the route down the course. The slider navigates the courses straights, twists and turns whilst trying to keep their body both tight and relaxed.

Tight but relaxed is not easy to achieve whilst the slider is going down a luge course at speeds of up to 90MPH. The sliders body needs to be rigid to maximize acceleration. This is because any slight movements will increase the friction between the luge and the course. The slider needs to be relaxed enough though to absorb the pressures/forces being experienced during the run. Steering will increase friction; therefore the slider steers as little as possible and only when absolutely necessary.