The results of the XVII Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer. (XVII ...

XVII OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
THE COMPETITION
Although practised as a sport since 1883, luge did not become an Olympic event until the Innsbruck games in 1964.
The Norwegian Luge and Bobsleigh Federation was founded in 1935. There are three events: the men's single, the
double and the women's single. The modern luge measures 1.28 - 1.35 metres in length, 45 cm in width and
15cm in height. A single seater should weigh no more than 23 kg, whilst a double seater may weigh as much as
27 kg. During competitions, lugers who weigh less than the basic 75 kg for women and 90 kg for men are allowed
to offset their weight. In the singles event, the competitors may offset 75% of the difference
between the basic weight and their body weight by means of additional weights secured to their
body. However, the weight added must not exceed 10 kg for women and 13 kg for men.
The rules allow for 50% of the difference between the basic weight and the body weight to be offset
in the doubles event. Prior to the start of a race, a reading is taken of the temperature of the luge's
runners. The difference between the temperature of the runners and that of the air must not exceed
five degrees. There is also a restriction against running with the luge to give it impetus at the start.
In the singles, the lugers make four runs from which their aggregate time is calculated; in doubles,
the contestants only make two runs. The starting order is decided by a draw, but the competitors
are divided into two seeded groups and a third group for others based on accumulated World
Cup points.
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