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Development team Update
The Irish Luge Federation was excited to send our first development athletes to the FIL luge school in Bludenz, Austria. Youngsters Calum and Sean successfully took their first runs under the guidence of the experienced FIL coaches, beginning to build their skills in sled control. If you want to get involved and have the opportunity to try luge contact us now.
Olympic debut
Elsa Desmond has made history as the first athlete to represent Ireland in luge at the Olympics. She raced in Beijing 2022 finishing in 33rd place after 3 runs. Huge congratulations to Elsa and the rest of our athlete for their hard work this season.
Finland Summer Ice Cave Cup
4 Athletes traveled to Finland to train in their summer ice cave facility and compete in the Summer Ice Cave Cup. Elsa Desmond won the women's race and finished 2nd in the Overall, being narrowly beaten by finlands Walter Vikstrom. Sean Donoghue finished 2nd in the Men's race and 3rd in the overall. Youth athlete Lily Cooke won the Youth Race. A fantastic week on the ice for all of our athletes.
About
Luge riders hurtle down a slippery ice track at great speed, relying on reflexes for steering. Unlike bobsleigh, however, they have no protection should they make an error.
Swiss origins
Luge is the French word for “sledge” and, like bobsleigh, it was developed as a sport in Switzerland. Its roots go back to the 16th century, but it was not until 300 years later that the first luge tracks were built by Swiss hotel owners to cater for thrill-seeking tourists.
DAVOS
The first international race course was held in Davos in 1883, with competitors racing along an icy 4km road between Davos and the village of Klosters.
NO BRAKES
Luge is one of the oldest winter sports. It involves competitors lying on their backs on a tiny sled with their feet stretched out in front of them, and racing down an icy track at speeds in the range of 140 km/h, without brakes. As well as the singles, there is a pairs event, with the larger of the two team members lying on top for better aerodynamics.
OLYMPIC HISTORY
It was not until 1955 that the first World Championship was organised, i.e. 41 years after the first European Championships. Nine years later, in 1964, luge made its Olympic debut, at the Innsbruck Games, with a mixed event, a men’s event and a women’s event. The programme has not changed since then. Since 1976, this sport has taken place on the same track as bobsleigh.
The discipline was dominated by the East Germans, who won 15 of the 21 gold medals available between 1964 and 1988. One of the undisputed masters of luge is a German: Georg Hackl, who won gold three times consecutively, in 1994 in Lillehammer, 1998 in Nagano and 2002 in Salt Lake City.
Based in Oldcastle Co. Meath, the Irish Luge federation was founded in 2020 to support Irish luge athletes on the world stage.
https://www.olympic.org/luge-equipment-and-history
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