Fast ride: Olympic track like a “roller coaster”

After the test runs in the last week of March, it's now the South Tyrolean luge team and the bobsledders of the "Azzurri" team alone who can test the Eugenio Monti track extensively. Zöggeler is almost effusive: "It's a highly successful track, completed in record time to the point where it's ready for racing. A year ago, very few people would have believed it. The ice track—and this is the most important thing—is almost finished. What's left now, and will take several months, is the work around it."

In addition to the test runs, the luge racing director is particularly pleased with the positive feedback from all participating lugers and coaches from all participating nations. "Everyone pulled together; we worked together perfectly across the board, compared data, and made suggestions for improvement." Zöggeler notes, however, "The collected data, runs, and times should of course be viewed with a grain of salt. Because in December, January, and February, the track is faster than it is now at the end of March."

The track contains some pitfalls. © Photo Hermann Sobe / Hermann Sobe Medienservice HS

As leaked, the lugers reached 126 km/h on the fastest sections during pre-homologation (technical inspection). According to the track engineers' calculations, speeds of up to 133 km/h are no problem. "We'll definitely crack 133 with faster equipment, the nature of the ice, and lower temperatures. But I'm convinced that no alarm bells will ring regarding the safety aspect. And that's the most important thing," Zöggeler explained.

And what about the difficulty? "The first part is technically difficult, from the middle to the finish, the track is unique – everyone was thrilled." Zöggeler finds it incomprehensible that the athletes rate the track as "fairly easy": "It will be difficult to stand out from the competition. The slightest mistake is enough to lose crucial time."

Nina Zöggeler also had the chance to try her hand. © Photo Hermann Sobe / Hermann Sobe Medienservice HS

What the two-time Olympic champion is getting at: "You have to stay error-free at the top to carry the momentum into the final section, where it's even slightly uphill. It's like a roller coaster. The pitfalls will become apparent at the latest during the international training week at the end of October, beginning of November."

Until April 10, however, the Azzurri will be the only ones in Cortina. The 15 lugers will complete up to four runs a day, with training starting either at 4:7.15 a.m. or after the bobsleighers at 10.30:XNUMX a.m.

The Eugenio Monti ice channel in Cortina – Bobsleigh start: 1321 meters, the women’s start is at 1308,6 meters, the junior start is at 1289 meters.

– Target: 1231 meters

– Length: Bobsleigh track 1445 meters; artificial track luge men 1410 meters; women and doubles: 1305 meters; juniors: 1111 meters

– Special features: 9 left and 7 right turns, maximum gradient 20 percent, steepest uphill section before the finish 20 percent; expected top speed: 133 km/h. The lowest point of the track is at 1213,8 meters, just before the final Ampezzo curve, from there it climbs to the finish at 1231 meters.

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Fast ride: Olympic track like a “roller coaster”

Luge legend Armin Zöggeler isn't usually a man of great emotion. These days, however, the 51-year-old is sporting a permanent smile. No wonder: The new Olympic bobsleigh and luge track in Cortina d'Ampezzo has impressively passed its first endurance test.

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