Viessmann World Cup Luge |
When an event is timed to the thousandth of a second, you know it has to be exciting. In luge, yes, races can be just this close. Lake Placid will host the event December 16-17 at the Olympic Sports Complex. Torino qualification is on the line when these sliders tackle the serpentine track on Mount Van Hoevenberg. As is the case in bobsled and skeleton, the course winds over 20 curves and drops almost 40 stories from start to finish. We expect the home team to compete for medals in men's and women's singles, doubles and the team event. But watch as Germany , Italy , Austria and Russia seek their share of the hardware.
Luge has one of the most successful winter athletes of all time. Georg Hackl, 39, of Germany has won three gold and two silver medals in the past five Winter Games. He regularly defeats racers half his age. The German women (pick any of them) have one of the best winning streaks in sports, if not the best. These ladies have not lost a World Cup race since 1997. Americans Mark Grimmette and Brian Martin, in doubles, have won Olympic bronze and silver since 1998. So guess what their plan is this season? They want luge's version of hitting for the cycle. Grimmette and Martin, USA Luge's all-time leaders in victories, can gain momentum in Lake Placid.
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Proud local supporters of the Veissmann World Cup Luge - Lake Placid |
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