Death at Olympic Luge Training Run

[Michael]

Georgian dies in horrific training crash

WHISTLER (Reuters) - A huge black cloud descended over the Vancouver Olympic on Friday after 21-year-old Georgian luge competitor Nodar Kumaritashvili was killed in a horrific training crash at the Whistler Sliding Center.

Kumaritashvili was making his final practice slide before Saturday's competition when he lost control at 90mph on the exit of the 16th corner and was launched over the rim of the track before crumpling into a pillar.

He was given emergency resuscitation at the scene by medical staff before being flown down the mountain by helicopter where he died in hospital. Ashen-faced course officials walked around in stunned silence as they waited for news.

"Unfortunately, he died," Georgian Olympic delegation head Irakly Japaridze told Reuters by telephone.

"We are all in deep shock, we don't know what to do. We don't know whether to take part in (today's) opening ceremony or even the Olympic Games themselves."

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Luge Federation (FIL) issued a joint statement confirming Kumaritashvili's death.

Source (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61B40S20100212)

Wow! This is definitely NOT an auspicious beginning for the Vancouver games. :eek:

And they are already talking about how this particular track is the fastest in the world and how several veteran racers had described it as dangerously fast.

For what its worth, I'm sure the footage is available on YouTube as I just saw the full clip on the 6 o'clock news here. 144 kmph/90 mph, he wipes out, then flies through the air and head first into a steel beam and that's it.

The opening ceremonies are tonight. :erm:

[Americano]

Died with his boots on at the top of his interest. That's not all bad.

[Lily]

I saw a clip tonight on our local newscast. Awful way to start out the Games. They say the steel pillars aren't padded, although at 90 mph, I'm thinking padding probably wouldn't have helped much.

[evanescence]

At 90mph, I'm amazed that there was much left of him after the crash.

[Michael]

I saw a clip tonight on our local newscast. Awful way to start out the Games. They say the steel pillars aren't padded, although at 90 mph, I'm thinking padding probably wouldn't have helped much.

That was my first thought - those pillars should have had padding - but then, that probably wouldn't have made a difference anyway. Rather, it looks like bad architecture with the support beams so close to the trackway. That stuff could easily be set back ten or fifteen feet. That would be my 'recommendation' for any investigation. :shrug:

[Donkey]

There's padding up now, among other changes.

[Americano]

There's padding up now, among other changes.

At 90mph head first that should absorb body fluids.

[Donkey]

At 90mph head first that should absorb body fluids.
Yeah padding seems mostly cosmetic. The main change is that they set the starting gate 600 feet down the track. (Effectively handing it to the power-starting Germans, apparently.)

[Americano]

Yeah padding seems mostly cosmetic. The main change is that they set the starting gate 600 feet down the track. (Effectively handing it to the power-starting Germans, apparently.)

It's a German designed run.