Luge athlete killed in Vancouver 2010 training run

Highbury · 02-12-10, 03:38 PM

Sad news on the first day of our Olympics here in my home town.

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/G...532/story.html

Condolences to his family. Tragic accident indeed.

FIREWALL · 02-12-10, 03:56 PM

Is sad. One of my favorite events to watch.

I always thought it took alot of guts to drive one of those things.

Platapus · 02-12-10, 04:07 PM

90 MPH!

What a terrible accident. At those speeds there is zero room for error/malfunction.

Highbury · 02-12-10, 04:21 PM

There really should have been an extended retaining wall where he lost control. I am 99.9% sure there will be before another set of blades hits that course. It is unprecedented, and unacceptable for a rider to bodily leave the course.

Unfortunately like may auto racing crashes in the past, when you see a replay you can't help but wonder how that section was passed as "safe". These issues are often only detected after someone has paid the price.

I am hearing alot on local news today that it is the fastest track in the world, and a very difficult track, he was young and inexperienced.. none of that matters. The safety has to be improved on this track.

krashkart · 02-12-10, 05:08 PM

Push the envelope far enough someone pays dearly. Did he sign up to be a test pilot, or a luge man?

Skybird · 02-12-10, 06:06 PM

Fastest track in the world, wrongly calculated for speeds of 130-137 km/h, where actually they drive speeds in excess of 155 km/h. there were serious safety concerns from beginning on, and it is not the first accident there, and at that part of the track. Some measurements were added, obviously not enough.

The problem has been underestimated or played down, maybe intentionally for spectacular effects (not the accidnet, but record speeds).

It's a racing sport with high speeds and high risks, everybody involved knows, at least should know what he is in for, and it is voluntary. the track should be shortened, and if a majority of athletes wish (I doubt it), the competiton should be skipped. but the rest of the games should go on, with some symbolic gesture during the opening ceremony.

02-12-10, 03:38 PM	#1
Highbury The Old Man Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 51.557, -0.102 Posts: 1,311 Downloads: 177 Uploads: 0	Luge athlete killed in Vancouver 2010 training run Sad news on the first day of our Olympics here in my home town. http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/G...532/story.html Condolences to his family. Tragic accident indeed.

02-12-10, 03:56 PM	#2
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	Is sad. One of my favorite events to watch. I always thought it took alot of guts to drive one of those things. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

02-12-10, 04:07 PM	#3
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	90 MPH! What a terrible accident. At those speeds there is zero room for error/malfunction. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

02-12-10, 06:06 PM	#6
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,612 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Fastest track in the world, wrongly calculated for speeds of 130-137 km/h, where actually they drive speeds in excess of 155 km/h. there were serious safety concerns from beginning on, and it is not the first accident there, and at that part of the track. Some measurements were added, obviously not enough. The problem has been underestimated or played down, maybe intentionally for spectacular effects (not the accidnet, but record speeds). It's a racing sport with high speeds and high risks, everybody involved knows, at least should know what he is in for, and it is voluntary. the track should be shortened, and if a majority of athletes wish (I doubt it), the competiton should be skipped. but the rest of the games should go on, with some symbolic gesture during the opening ceremony. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

02-12-10, 04:21 PM	#4
Highbury The Old Man Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 51.557, -0.102 Posts: 1,311 Downloads: 177 Uploads: 0	There really should have been an extended retaining wall where he lost control. I am 99.9% sure there will be before another set of blades hits that course. It is unprecedented, and unacceptable for a rider to bodily leave the course. Unfortunately like may auto racing crashes in the past, when you see a replay you can't help but wonder how that section was passed as "safe". These issues are often only detected after someone has paid the price. I am hearing alot on local news today that it is the fastest track in the world, and a very difficult track, he was young and inexperienced.. none of that matters. The safety has to be improved on this track.

02-12-10, 05:08 PM	#5
krashkart Navy Seal Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,292 Downloads: 100 Uploads: 0	Push the envelope far enough someone pays dearly. Did he sign up to be a test pilot, or a luge man?