A few thoughts on the Luge

This will likely be my last post for the evening. I wanted to address the status of the Luge event in the aftermath of the Friday tragedy. The officials have made modifications to slow the speeds and have added some extra height to the sides near the point in which Nodar Kumaritashvili left the track and struck the poll. The starting point has been moved forward a short distance - this to reduce the speeds that the racers will reach by the time they reach their maximums near the bottom. Of course racing is naturally a sport in which you want to push your limits. This track had a reputation of being built for speed and racers have been clocked at nearly 96MPH. Kumaritashvili was believed to be going about 88 I think. These changes will likely keep speeds down into the 80's - still room for danger. Luge racing is after all not for the faint of heart, but many, perhaps all of the events here have elements of risk. The Canadian lugers are not happy. They have had more time on this track than anyone, and surely must consider this home track to be to their advantage. But Officials I believe have made the right call. This course has claimed one too many lives already.




I have noted across the internet some criticism of the media for showing video of the ill fated run. I think nearly all the times I have seen it shown or offered for viewing on the internet it has been with a disclaimer that it might be disturbing. Those media outlets I've seen that have offered it, I believe hade done so responsibly. While I agree it can be disturbing, it is not within the realm of gory. A warning is appropriate, but it should not be unavailable for viewing.

Olympic Hangover Perspective

Phote credit: Jamie Squire / Getty Images


Don’t think by the title of this post I was wasted last night. No, in fact I had nothing to drink at all. It’s just that the long opening celebrations tend to leave one drowsy the next day.


I got up with the dogs at 5:30AM and let them out. Back to bed till 9:00AM. I’ve had the morning to think about it along with some caffeine and I am slightly disappointed as I look back on the opening day. Yes, there were magical moments in the chorography of the opening, but the technical glitch in the lighting of the cauldron and the tragic death of the Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili. Mark Grimmette a members of the U.S Olympic team and a luger who would have been one of Kumaritashvili’s rivals is wearing a Georgian pin to honor him. It was fitting that the games be dedicated to him, but what I now await is the level of Olympic Spirit that we are accustomed to seeing in these games. The death of Kumaritashvili we will not forget; but the glitch with the lighting ceremony can easily be erased by Olympic Competition.

In another element of less than joyful news - Rain and 50 degree highs are disrupting the Alpine skiing events at Whistler. These of course are among my favorite. I have no idea at this point when they are to be rescheduled.

Tragic beginning

Just hours before the 21st Winter Olympics tragedy struck as Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili lost control during a training run and flew off the final corner at the Whistler Sliding Centre striking a pole that was part of the structural couture of the course. Efforts to resuscitate the young athlete were unsuccessful.

Surely there will be some tribute to the luger during the opening ceremony. But the kind of suspense that we are normally thinking about at this time is what the ceremony will look like. Each host city seems to have a higher bar to reach artistically just as the athletes attempt to stretch the limits of their abilities. And who... what one person will be given the opportunity the light the caldron?