Bobsled, skeleton (in Vancouver Olympics) will start from planned spot

[Junkdrawer]

WHISTLER, British Columbia -- Bobsled and skeleton races at the Vancouver Olympics will start from their normal locations at the Whistler Sliding Center.

Luge courses were shortened following the death of a Georgian luge athlete during a training run. Moving the bobsled and skeleton starts is not feasible, considering athletes in both disciplines need room to run at the start.

Bobsled and skeleton competitors will be given the option of training from a lower start if they prefer but must take at least two runs from their normal start, as is the case before virtually all international events.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/14/AR2010021402443.html

So, all you disappointed that you couldn't see the lugers attempt to cheat death will get your chance this Thursday with skeleton and Saturday with bobsled.

[bullwinkle428]

1. Bobsleigh & skeleton sleds don't run quite as fast as luge sleds;

however, I'm not sure how well that plywood wall will perform in containing a 4-man bobsled if it were to lose control exiting turn 16. The 4-man sled has a weight approaching 1400 lbs. when the athletes' weights are included.

[havocmom]

3. Can't they get some crash test dummies to sign on for the first runs?

I fear you are correct about the difference in sleighs, weights when that plywood wall gets hit.

[Junkdrawer]

17. Turn 13 (aka the 50/50 curve) is the one to watch for bobsled...

...

To add to the speed and violence, the course in Whistler is far and away the fastest one in the world, thanks in part to a steep top section that includes a 20-degree drop at curve two. Curve 13 was dubbed the "50/50 curve" after a day of course testing last year when only half the teams made it through right side up. If you're the type who watches NASCAR secretly anxious to see a crash, this might be the year for you to check out bobsled.

...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/david_epstein/02/09/bobsled.preview/index.html

[ellie]

2. I have been watching the Olympics

and that luge event is insane. They start out slow and then it is like they are catapulted from a slingshot and end up going 90 mph. Crazy and dangerous.

[havocmom]

5. Read somewhere that the course this year can cause speeds way above 90 MPH

DUers, correct me if I am wrong, but I recall something about 130 or better? Not much time for reactions, even among world class athletes, at those speeds. There is a point where physics trumps human.

[gcomeau]

7. If you saw 130 or better, it was in *kph*.

The highest acheived speeds for luge from the old start point were a little above 95mph on this track.

[bullwinkle428]

8. Bobsled speed record set last year at 153 kph, which translates

to around 93 mph. The fastest skeleton speed at last year's event was just over 140 kph, which is just under 87 mph.

[havocmom]

9. Thanks to both of you.

130+ scared me.

[Poll_Blind]

4. This track is a challenge to experienced riders in their prime, very dangerous for...

...anyone else. The track was not designed to kill people and many have already made the run. Luge is inherently a dangerous sport. But the track itself is getting more scrutiny, it seems, than the process which allowed a less experienced luge rider on it.

PB

[Junkdrawer]

6. I think it was designed to be incredibly fast so as to give the home team an advantage.

Turns out, that was deadly.

[TexasObserver]

10. I agree. That's also likely why Canada hogged the track until recently.

I've read that competitors from other countries were not allowed to get on the track to practice earlier, while Canadians were practicing there. Canada really wanted to get a homecourt advantage in these games, and has a big push on to go for the gold this Olympics.

[Codeine]

11. I read somewhere that was pretty standard.

Something about teams not having access to facilities until the Olympic Village opens helps prevent teams who can aford it from taking up residence months in advance.

[polly7]

12. Bull.

It's Olympic policy that each country has practice rights until a few weeks before the event. That's already been posted here with a link to official policy if you do a search. I just had this feeling there would be Canada haters here for these Olympics ......

[Junkdrawer]

14. Canada haters????? In 2004, my wife and I spent a lot of money....

investigating how we could move permanently to Canada.

But lately, I've become more and more disenchanted.

[polly7]

19. That's your perogative.

I was a little po'd too when my dying, hurting aunt waiting for the pharmacist was told U.S. citizens on a bus from Minot should get in line first because as one woman said 'Do you mind, I'm from the U.S. and we're in a bit of a hurry?" I was also a litle disenchanted when friends got their cars trashed shopping over the border after our refusal in Iraq. Sorry you're disenchanted, many are, from all over the world. Picking the olympics - an event meant to bring together people to forget the world's problems for a few weeks and celebrate different cultures seems to be a mean-spiritied thing to do - reading the IOC rules as were linked here shows that the post was untrue and meant to be insulting, period.

[TexasObserver]

15. Stop it. You're attacking other posters with a broad brush smear that's untrue.

I don't hate Canada, and there is no evidence anyone does. This is about the home country and whether it tried to have any advantage. It isn't me who created the campaign for Canada to grab the gold at this Olympics. That's the real Canadian juggernaut. Even Canadians acknowledge that Canada has been uncharacteristically focused on winning this Olympics.


I love Canada. As I've said here, it's a wonderful country with wonderful people. Some of its citizens are a bit paranoid about all things American, of course.

[polly7]

18. Really, such a good country that would do what you said to

get an advantage over anything? I suggest you read the IOC rules before you write things that are hurtful then. Not many people are paranoid here, stop painting people with a broad brush. Read this thread carefully before you spread accusations.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7703069

[TexasObserver]

20. Maybe you should take a time out until you feel better about all this.

You're letting your national pride get in the way of rational thinking.

[polly7]

21. No thanks, I don't like seeing untruths posted.

I doubt you read the thread about others practicing and IOC rules. Maybe you need the time out as you made the comment about hogging the track for home advantage, or whatever that baloney was.

[TexasObserver]

22. Then you may continue embarrassing yourself.

[polly7]

24. No, you're doing that just fine for yourself.

Until you read and acknowledge IOC rules and that others have used the track to practice, and that it's been in use for two years, your original comment shows just how wrong you are.

"I agree. That's also likely why Canada hogged the track until recently.
I've read that competitors from other countries were not allowed to get on the track to practice earlier, while Canadians were practicing there. Canada really wanted to get a homecourt advantage in these games, and has a big push on to go for the gold this Olympics."

Maybe you could do a little research on venues from other countries to compare availability to athletes from other countries, so you could discuss this rationally.

[Junkdrawer]

13. Starting with the harassment of Amy Goodman, I've been perplexed....

over Canada's whole attitude with these olympics.

What happened to that nice, more-sane-and-peaceful neighbor to the north? Is it Harper, tar sands, what?

[TexasObserver]

16. It's national pride, pure and simple.

Until Bilodeau, they'd never won a gold on Canadian soil and that had to hurt. I mean, winter Olympics. Come on.

[polly7]

23. Not at all, I want the best athletes in their sport to win.

I love winter sports myself, moguls, skiing, hockey - I played it al my life. Curling, anything outdoors. I love watching all of it. Medals to me make me happy no matter who wins, actually Czech Republic is one of my faves in hockey, how about you? Enjoyment and competition is what it's all about. Seems you're wrong. But if it makes people feel superior to dub Canada a poor host ......... well, oh weeeelllllllllll.

[polly7]

25. Start protesting the tar sands, help us out.

Most of it is slated for the U.S.]

Here's and excellent place to start - http://www.tarsandswatch.org/

What exactly is our 'attitude' over the Olympics? The opening ceremonies celebrated individuality and hope.

Peaceful? We've been dragged into a useless war, lost troops through 'friendly fire' with no consequences, 100's of others for no reason but to insure that pipeline is safeguarded.

But yes, you're correct about Harper, Bush with brains. The sooner he's out, the better ...... and we can go back to being the peacekeepers we once were.