History
The first organised 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 F?d?ration Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing (FIBT, International Bobsleigh and Tobagganing Federation). After it had been decided that luge would replace the sport of skeleton at the Olympic Games, the first World Championships in the sport were held in 1955 in Oslo (Norway). In 1957, the F?d?ration Internationale de Luge de Course (FIL, International Luge Federation) is founded. Luge events were included in the Olympic Winter Games in 1964.
Rules
The rules are fairly simple in luge. The course is timed, and the athlete must depart from the start handles within a certain time once the track is declared clear.
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 speedsuits, booties, helmets, gloves, spikes, etc.
Like other timed sports, qualifying determines start position, important during deteriorating track conditions. Overall time is an aggregate of two or more runs down the course.
Equipment
Race Sled
The Race Sled is individually tailored to suit the size and sliding style of the athlete. Many hours of sled work coupled with extensive training runs are required to find the optimum balance between sled control and maximum speed. Although the sled set-up is a highly skilled operation, the components of a luge sled are very simple.
The primary components of the sled are:
- 2 Kufens
- 2 Steels
- Pod Seat
- 2 Bridges
Mechanical braking devices are forbidden. The gliding steel, blades and runners of the sled may not include any cushioning and/or suspension.
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Pod |
Kufens |
Bridges |
Steels |
Race Clothing
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Helmet |
Speed |
Spiked Gloves |
Race Booties |