Whistler Sliding Center Fact Sheet (did environmentalism play a role in luger death?)

Whistler 2010 Olympics Website ^ | 2/12/2010 | Yossarian

[GraceG]

Why can’t they cover the whole damn course with a large transparent plastic cover? Seems safer to keep the person contained but moving so they can come to a slow stop rather then an abrupt end.

Oh, plastic isn’t environmentally friendly.....

[RikaStrom]

Ahhh, that might be an issue. Do you know if it was in the same spot, or different spots?

I was watching History Channel last night and they had “Winter Tech” on, it was how they were preparing for the olympics and one of the pieces was how the luge was built. Mostly off site, then trailered in and assembled on site.

[Yossarian]

The radar showed that he was going 144 KpH, that's 40 meters per second.

Assuming that he slowed down to 33 m/s in tumble, and if we give him a tenth of a second to stop on impact...

...then he hit a sudden 33 Gs of force on impact, about 24 K-newtons of energy his body has to absorb. That's bone-crushing territory.

[ArcadeQuarters]

I just did a google image search for luge tracks and only 1 of the first 100 images showed any type of roof. This does look like an unusual design (at least according to my 30 seconds of research).

[passionfruit]

At least one (probably both) of the others wiped out on curve 16, same track.

[CharlesWayneCT]

All they really needed was a net to keep him from going over the wall, but I presume that would ruin the sight lines.

[Straight Vermonter]

I don't think this track has an inherently more dangerous design than others. I can't find a good picture of the "shed" at Lake Placid but my recollection is that the obstructions near the track are similar to the one in Vancouver. Of course tracks can always be made safer but I just don't think this one is less safe due to environmental or other reasons.

This is a pic of a banked section at Lake Placid.

[Straight Vermonter]

Look for bobsled track. The three sled sports use the same track.

[Straight Vermonter]

Here is a video from the Lake Placid bobsled track. This is the actual Olympic track that the public can ride the track from about half way up. Speeds are obviously much slower as a result. Nonetheless you can see how the roof is held on by supports that are very near to the track just as they are in Vancouver.

[fanfan]

Statement

Date: February 12, 2010

For immediate release

STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA

The following statement was issued by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in response to the tragic death today of a member of the Georgian Winter Olympic Team during a training run in Whistler, British Columbia:

“All Canadians were deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Georgian Olympic team member Nodar Kumaritashvili following a luge training accident in Whistler today. His competitive spirit and dedication to sports excellence will be remembered and honoured during the Games.

“On behalf of all Canadians, Laureen and I send our deepest sympathies to Mr. Kumaritashvili’s family and friends and the entire Georgian Winter Olympic team.”

- 30 -

PMO Press Office: 613-957-5555

This document is also available at http://pm.gc.ca

[PapaBear3625]

I think the goal of any barrier would be to put the athlete back on the track, where they can lose their energy gradually, like over the course of 10 seconds or more.

To that end, clear plastic walls to prevent a luger from leaving the track would have been nice.

[spokeshave]

Just fit the steel bars with some instantaneous active armour....will blow the errant lunger back on course.

[gitmo]

Let’s see.
The space shuttle crash was due to environmentalists prevented asbestos tiles from being used.

The twin towers collapsed because they stopped using asbestos on the beams.

There may be a pattern going on. I wonder what it could be.

[rawcatslyentist]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46YEDq2oTcg 2:56

LOL!!!