Training crash kills Olympic luge competitor

[tommymac]

Originally Posted by Dave

def, i used to be pretty nasty on my flexible flyer

Me too we used to use inner tubes plastic toboggans and once we used a steel sign.

I saw the luge on tv when I was a kid and always wanted to do it. One of the olympic sliders was from LI too.

[tommymac]

Funny how theyre blaming it on the rider, but they mad modifications to tha tpar tof the track and are now starting further down the track to slow the speeds down.

Other riders complained the track was dangerous and several had crashed in practice.

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by tommymac

Funny how theyre blaming it on the rider, but they mad modifications to tha tpar tof the track and are now starting further down the track to slow the speeds down.

Other riders complained the track was dangerous and several had crashed in practice.

I don't know if I'd make the track "easier" but I think that some kind of fence is in order... even some kind of chain link would have kept him in the track area. What if a bunch of people were watching practice on that spot? The competitors can either accept the risk or walk away, no one is forcing them to compete but the spectators don't go thinking that they are risking their well being by just being there.

[tommymac]

Originally Posted by TIGGER

I don't know if I'd make the track "easier" but I think that some kind of fence is in order... even some kind of chain link would have kept him in the track area. What if a bunch of people were watching practice on that spot? The competitors can either accept the risk or walk away, no one is forcing them to compete but the spectators don't go thinking that they are risking their well being by just being there.

I dont think its making the track easier, just slowing them down some by starting them further down the course. In the video you see people standing righ tover them on soem for the straights which has to be kinda spooky. They are mostly track officials or something I cant see them letting spectators get THAT close.

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by tommymac

I dont think its making the track easier, just slowing them down some by starting them further down the course. In the video you see people standing righ tover them on soem for the straights which has to be kinda spooky. They are mostly track officials or something I cant see them letting spectators get THAT close.

You might be right... anyway, I'd definitely put up some kind of barrier.

[Apoc]

Originally Posted by TIGGER

You might be right... anyway, I'd definitely put up some kind of barrier.

Or proper netting of some kind.

But, while this is a tragedy, people die racing. No matter what type. These guys regularly fly 90+mph on a carbon fiber toboggan. They know the risks and accept them, and im sure this kid was no different.

Im sure, if you could ask him, his only regret would be that last turn.

[smileyman]

90 mph into chain link? Brrrr, cheese grater. Maybe some foam, air fence or something. Perhaps not layout the course near poles?

[goof2]

From what I saw earlier they put up plywood framed by 2x4s anchored to the side of the track in that section. Chain link would be rough, but it is still better than a solid steel I beam.

[karl_1052]

Originally Posted by Porkchop

I heard its the fastest course in the world.

At this point, is your life worth it for a piece of gold?

Just to show a few who thought so.

[Avatard]

People die climbing mountains for little more reason than "because it was there", so I would say, if you can cast off doing what you love best, bravo, and let no one question your motives.