Yes, Luge Team Relay Is a Thing — Here’s How It’s Done

Two phrases that don’t appear to go collectively are “luge” and “relay” — individuals going dashing down a large ice slide on sleds which have very lengthy and sharp blades one instantly after one other looks as if a probably harmful thought.

And but, it really works very effectively and makes for many thrilling racing. Additionally, there luckily are not any precise handoffs happening.

The blended luge staff relay made its debut on the 2014 Sochi Olympics, and is the ultimate luge occasion on the Beijing Olympics. Right here’s the way it works:

Every staff is made up of three sleds — one girl, one man and one doubles — with the girl’s sled beginning first. The beginning for the ladies is similar as ordinary, with the beginning gate already open. When the girl’s sled will get to the underside is when issues get completely different from regular luge racing.

When the girl’s sled reaches the underside, the athlete should hit a contact pad on the end line. Doing so opens the gate for the person’s sled to start their run. The clock doesn’t cease between staff members going, so getting off to a very good begin after that gate opens is vital.

With the clock persevering with to run, the person’s sled will make its means down the course, hitting a contact pad as soon as it reaches the end line. That may then open the beginning gates for the third sled, the doubles staff. The time stops when the highest driver of the doubles sled hits the contact pad.

If any of the sleds doesn’t hit the contact pad, that staff is disqualified.

The beginning order for the staff relay relies on the nation’s luge rating. As such, in Thursday’s competitors, Germany would be the ultimate staff to go, as they proceed to dominate in luge. Staff USA will go ninth, 5 spots forward of Germany.

The luge staff relay begins at 8:30 a.m. Thursday and might be streamed right here.