Luge at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Doubles
Encyclopedia
The doubles luge
event at the 2010 Winter Olympics
was held on 17 February at the Whistler Sliding Centre
in Whistler, British Columbia
. Twenty teams participated. Austria
n brothers Andreas
and Wolfgang Linger
, the defending Olympic
and European champions
,. won the gold medal. The silver medal was also won by a pair of brothers, Andris
and Juris Šics
of Latvia
. Germans
Patric Leitner
and Alexander Resch
clinched the bronze medal after edging out Italians
Christian Oberstolz
and Patrick Gruber
, who were in third place after the first run.
Changes had been made to the track after a Georgian
luger Nodar Kumaritashvili
died during a training run before the Games began. The turn where Kumaritashvili died was adjusted and padding was added to medal support pillar nearby. In addition, the start of the doubles race was moved to the junior start, meaning not only that the course was shorter but that the athletes would enter a turn and then a sharp corner almost immediately after the start. This required a change in strategy for many competitors, and a limited number of training runs in which to develop it. However, media reports mentioned the changes positively after a doubles team, Austria's Tobias
and Markus Schiegl
, crashed in the same turn where Kumaritashvili was killed.
and the International Luge Federation
(FIL), 20 doubles teams (40 athletes total) were allowed to take part in the event. Athletes were to be ranked by the number of world cup points they earned in the 2008–09 season and through the first half (before 31 December) of the 2009–10 season. To be eligible, athletes must either have earned world cup points in five World Cups, Nations Cup or Junior World Cup, or have a top-16 (doubles) finish at the world cup during the qualification period. The top-20 doubles sleds were to be qualified for the Olympics, up to two sleds per nation, with unused quotas to be redistributed with priority given to unrepresented nations. The host nation (Canada) was to be guaranteed a sled in every event provided that they reached the minimum requirements.
International Luge Federation rules for doubles events require that teams participate in two competition runs. The times are then added together and the sled with the lowest time is the winner.
and Wolfgang Linger
were expected to be competitive in the doubles event. However, there were a number of other teams which were expected to be contenders for the gold medal. Italy
's team of Gerhard Plankensteiner
and Oswald Haselrieder
entered the Vancouver
Games as the defending Olympic bronze medalists and the defending world champions
. The test event that took place at the venue was won by the German
team of André Florschütz
and Torsten Wustlich
, the defending Olympic silver medalists. The last World Cup event prior to the 2010 games took place in Cesana, Italy on 30 January 2010 and was won by the German duo of Tobias Wendl
and Tobias Arlt
, who might also have but contenders but who did not qualify for the 2010 Games, losing out to teammates Florschütz and Wustlich and 2002 doubles champions
Patric Leitner
and Alexander Resch
.
s, the International Luge Federation (FIL) does maintain records for both the start and a complete run at each track it competes.
The start and track records were set at the test event from the women's singles/ men's doubles start house for the 2010 Games on 20 February 2009.
was going at over 143 kilometres per hour (88.9 mph) when he crashed in the last turn and hit a steel pole. He was administered CPR
at the track, then taken away to hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Training was immediately stopped. As a result, the start of the men's single competition was moved to the women's/doubles' start to reduce speed and the wall at corner where Kumaritashvili crashed was raised.
Investigations were conducted the same day, concluding that the accident was not caused by deficiencies in the track. As a preventative measure, the walls at the exit of curve 16 will be raised and a change in the ice profile will be made. A joint statement was issued by the FIL, the International Olympic Committee
, and the Vancouver Organizing Committee over Kurmaitasvili's death with training suspended for the rest of that day. According to the Coroners Service of British Columbia and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
, the cause was to Kumaritashvili coming out of turn 15 late and not compensating for turn 16. Because of this fatality, an extra 40 yd (36.6 m) of wall was added after the end of Turn 16 and the ice profile was changed. It also moved the men's singles luge event from its starthouse to the one for both the women's singles and men's doubles event. Kumaritashvili is the first Olympic athlete to die at the Winter Olympics in training since 1992
and the first luger to die in a practice event at the Winter Olympics since Kazimierz Kay-Skrzypeski
of Great Britain was killed at the luge track
used for the 1964 Winter Olympics
in Innsbruck
. It was also luge's first fatality (on an artificial track) since 10 December 1975, when an Italian luger was killed. Kumaritavili's teammate Levan Gureshidze
withdrew prior to the first run of the event.
The women's singles and men's doubles starts were moved to the Junior start house of the track, located after turn 6. Germany's Natalie Geisenberger
complained that it was not a women's start but more of a kinder ("child" in German) start. Her teammate Tatjana Hüfner
who had the fastest speed on two runs of 82.3 mph (132.4 km/h) stated that the new start position "..does not help good starters like myself". American Erin Hamlin
stated the track was still demanding even after the distance was lessened from 1193 to 953 m (3,914 to 3,126.6 ft) and that you were still hitting 80 mph (128.7 km/h). Despite criticisms, media reports about the doubles competition portrayed the track changes positively after Austria's Tobias
and Markus Schiegl
crashed at the same turn where Kumaritashvili died.
On 23 March 2010, FIL President Fendt, VANOC President John Furlong
, 2010 men's singles gold medalist Felix Loch
of Germany
visited Kumaritashvili's grave in his hometown of Bakuriani
to pay respects as part of tradition in the Georgian Othrodox Church.
The FIL published their reports in regards to Kumaritashvili's death on 12 April 2010 following the FIL Commissions Meeting in St. Leonhard, Austria
(near Salzburg
) for both sport and technical commissions on 9-11 April 2010. This report was prepared by Romstad and Claire DelNegro, Vice-President Sport Artificial Track, who is from the United States.
Linger and Linger had the fastest time in both runs and won their second straight Olympic gold medal in this event, joining the East German duo of Hans Rinn
and Norbert Hahn
who won the event in 1976
and 1980
as the only repeat gold medalists in the event in Olympic history. This was also Austria
's first gold medal at these Olympics for the co-opening ceremony flagbearers
. The Šics brothers earned Latvia
's first medals at these Olympics. 2002 gold medalists Leitner and Resch earned bronze medals in their last competition. Defending World Cup champions Florschütz and Wustlich finished fifth while defending world champions Plankensteiner and Haselrieder finished a disappointing ninth.
During the first run, Schiegl and Schiegl survived a crash on Turn 16 where they came in too high. Tobias tried to correct the oversteer only to have the cousins collide on the opposite side of the ice wall, causing both cousins to go airborne momentarily. Neither cousin suffered any injury.
Luge
A Luge is a small one- or two-person sled on which one sleds supine and feet-first. Steering is done by flexing the sled's runners with the calf of each leg or exerting opposite shoulder pressure to the seat. Racing sleds weigh 21-25 kilograms for singles and 25-30 kilograms for doubles. Luge...
event at the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
was held on 17 February at the Whistler Sliding Centre
Whistler Sliding Centre
The Whistler Sliding Centre is a Canadian bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track located in Whistler, British Columbia, that is north of Vancouver. The centre is part of the Whistler Blackcomb resort, which comprises two ski mountains separated by Fitzsimmons Creek...
in Whistler, British Columbia
Whistler, British Columbia
Whistler is a Canadian resort town in the southern Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains in the province of British Columbia, Canada, approximately north of Vancouver...
. Twenty teams participated. Austria
Austria at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Austria participated at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.- Medalists :- Alpine Skiing :Stefanie Köhle, Mario Matt and Hannes Reichelt were withdrawn from the squad prior to the opening ceremony- Biathlon :...
n brothers Andreas
Andreas Linger
Andreas Linger is an Austrian luger who has competed internationally since 2000. He and his younger brother Wolfgang began luging at a very young age, and did their first doubles run when they were 14...
and Wolfgang Linger
Wolfgang Linger
Wolfgang Linger is an Austrian luger who has competed internationally since 2000. As young children, he and his older brother Andreas learned to luge on a former Olympic luge track, and at age 14 began competing as a doubles team for the first time...
, the defending Olympic
2006 Winter Olympics
The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...
and European champions
FIL European Luge Championships 2010
The FIL European Luge Championships 2010 took place 19 - 24 January 2010 in Sigulda, Latvia for the second time, hosting the event previously in 1996.-Festivities:...
,. won the gold medal. The silver medal was also won by a pair of brothers, Andris
Andris Šics
Andris Šics is a Latvian luger who has competed since 1998. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he won a silver medal in the men's doubles event at Vancouver in 2010 alongside his teammate, older brother Juris Šics....
and Juris Šics
Juris Šics
Juris Šics is a Latvian luger who has competed since 1998. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he won a silver medal in the men's doubles event at Vancouver in 2010 alongside his teammate, younger brother Andris Šics....
of Latvia
Latvia at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Latvia participated at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with 58 athletes in 9 sports, which tied the biggest Latvian delegation to the Olympics ever....
. Germans
Germany at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Germany participated at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 153 athletes represented Germany, entering all 15 sports. Figure skater Sarah Hecken was the youngest team member, while Curling European Champion Andrea Schöpp was the oldest at 44...
Patric Leitner
Patric Leitner
Patric-Fritz Leitner is a German luger who competed from 1998 to 2010. Together with Alexander Resch he won the men's doubles event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, United States. They also competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics, finishing sixth...
and Alexander Resch
Alexander Resch
Alexander Resch is a German luger who competed from 1998 to 2010. Together with Patric Leitner, he won the men's doubles event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, United States. They also competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics, finishing sixth...
clinched the bronze medal after edging out Italians
Italy at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Italy participated at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:*Federica Brignone*Denise Karbon*Christian Deville*Nicole Gius*Elena Fanchini*Peter Fill*Werner Heel*Christof Innerhofer...
Christian Oberstolz
Christian Oberstolz
Christian Oberstolz is an Italian luger who has competed since 1997. He won four medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with two silvers and two bronzes .At the FIL European Luge Championships, Oberstolz won five medals with one gold , three...
and Patrick Gruber
Patrick Gruber
Patrick Gruber is an Italian luger who has competed since 1997. He won four medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with two silvers and two bronzes .At the FIL European Luge Championships, Gruber won five medals with one gold Patrick Gruber (born January 31, 1978 in Bruneck) is an Italian...
, who were in third place after the first run.
Changes had been made to the track after a Georgian
Georgia at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Georgia participated in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with a team of 8 athletes. On the day of the opening ceremony, Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili died in an accident while practicing during for games.- Alpine skiing:...
luger Nodar Kumaritashvili
Nodar Kumaritashvili
Nodar David Kumaritashvili was a Georgian luger, who suffered a fatal crash during a training run for the 2010 Winter Olympics competition in Vancouver, Canada, on the day of the opening ceremony...
died during a training run before the Games began. The turn where Kumaritashvili died was adjusted and padding was added to medal support pillar nearby. In addition, the start of the doubles race was moved to the junior start, meaning not only that the course was shorter but that the athletes would enter a turn and then a sharp corner almost immediately after the start. This required a change in strategy for many competitors, and a limited number of training runs in which to develop it. However, media reports mentioned the changes positively after a doubles team, Austria's Tobias
Tobias Schiegl
Tobias Schiegl is an Austrian luger who competed from 1993 to 2010. He won fourteen medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with five golds , five silvers , and four bronzes Tobias Schiegl (born October 5, 1973 in Kufstein) is an Austrian luger who competed from 1993 to 2010. He won fourteen...
and Markus Schiegl
Markus Schiegl
Markus Schiegl is an Austrian luger who has competed from 1987 to 2010. He won fourteen medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with five golds , five silvers , and four bronzes Markus Schiegl (born 07.06.1975 in Kufstein) is an Austrian luger who has competed from 1987 to 2010. He won fourteen...
, crashed in the same turn where Kumaritashvili was killed.
Rules
In accordance with the International Olympic CommitteeInternational Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
and the International Luge Federation
Fédération Internationale de Luge de Course
The International Luge Federation is the main international federation for all luge sports...
(FIL), 20 doubles teams (40 athletes total) were allowed to take part in the event. Athletes were to be ranked by the number of world cup points they earned in the 2008–09 season and through the first half (before 31 December) of the 2009–10 season. To be eligible, athletes must either have earned world cup points in five World Cups, Nations Cup or Junior World Cup, or have a top-16 (doubles) finish at the world cup during the qualification period. The top-20 doubles sleds were to be qualified for the Olympics, up to two sleds per nation, with unused quotas to be redistributed with priority given to unrepresented nations. The host nation (Canada) was to be guaranteed a sled in every event provided that they reached the minimum requirements.
International Luge Federation rules for doubles events require that teams participate in two competition runs. The times are then added together and the sled with the lowest time is the winner.
Preview
As defending Olympic and European champions, AndreasAndreas Linger
Andreas Linger is an Austrian luger who has competed internationally since 2000. He and his younger brother Wolfgang began luging at a very young age, and did their first doubles run when they were 14...
and Wolfgang Linger
Wolfgang Linger
Wolfgang Linger is an Austrian luger who has competed internationally since 2000. As young children, he and his older brother Andreas learned to luge on a former Olympic luge track, and at age 14 began competing as a doubles team for the first time...
were expected to be competitive in the doubles event. However, there were a number of other teams which were expected to be contenders for the gold medal. Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
's team of Gerhard Plankensteiner
Gerhard Plankensteiner
Gerhard Plankensteiner is an Italian national of Austrian descent luger who competed from 1986 to 2010...
and Oswald Haselrieder
Oswald Haselrieder
Oswald Haselrieder is an Italian national of Austrian descent luger who competed from 1990 to 2010...
entered the Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
Games as the defending Olympic bronze medalists and the defending world champions
FIL World Luge Championships 2009
The FIL World Luge Championships 2009 ran on 1–8 February 2009 at the bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track in Lake Placid, New York, United States for the second time after having hosted the event in 1983...
. The test event that took place at the venue was won by the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
team of André Florschütz
André Florschütz
André Florschütz is a German luger who competed from 1993 to 2010. Together with Torsten Wustlich, he won the silver medal in the men's doubles event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin....
and Torsten Wustlich
Torsten Wustlich
Torsten Wustlich is a German luger who competed from 1998 to 2010. Together with André Florschütz, he won the silver medal in the men's doubles event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin....
, the defending Olympic silver medalists. The last World Cup event prior to the 2010 games took place in Cesana, Italy on 30 January 2010 and was won by the German duo of Tobias Wendl
Tobias Wendl
Tobias Wendl is a German luger who has competed since the 2000s. He won a silver medal in the men's doubles event at the 2008 FIL World Luge Championships in Oberhof, Germany....
and Tobias Arlt
Tobias Arlt
Tobias Arlt is a German luger who has competed since the 2000s. He won a silver medal in the men's doubles event at the 2008 FIL World Luge Championships in Oberhof, Germany....
, who might also have but contenders but who did not qualify for the 2010 Games, losing out to teammates Florschütz and Wustlich and 2002 doubles champions
Luge at the 2002 Winter Olympics
The Luge competition at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games was held at Utah Olympic Park in Park City. Three events were staged, taking place from February 10 to February 14.-Medal table:-Events:-References:***...
Patric Leitner
Patric Leitner
Patric-Fritz Leitner is a German luger who competed from 1998 to 2010. Together with Alexander Resch he won the men's doubles event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, United States. They also competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics, finishing sixth...
and Alexander Resch
Alexander Resch
Alexander Resch is a German luger who competed from 1998 to 2010. Together with Patric Leitner, he won the men's doubles event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, United States. They also competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics, finishing sixth...
.
Records
While the IOC does not consider luge times eligible for Olympic recordOlympic record
Olympic records are the best performances in a specific event in that event's history in either the Summer Olympic Games or the Winter Olympic Games...
s, the International Luge Federation (FIL) does maintain records for both the start and a complete run at each track it competes.
The start and track records were set at the test event from the women's singles/ men's doubles start house for the 2010 Games on 20 February 2009.
| Type | Date | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | 20 February 2009 | Tobias Wendl Tobias Wendl Tobias Wendl is a German luger who has competed since the 2000s. He won a silver medal in the men's doubles event at the 2008 FIL World Luge Championships in Oberhof, Germany.... Tobias Arlt Tobias Arlt Tobias Arlt is a German luger who has competed since the 2000s. He won a silver medal in the men's doubles event at the 2008 FIL World Luge Championships in Oberhof, Germany.... |
7.054 |
| Track | 20 February 2009 | Patric Leitner Patric Leitner Patric-Fritz Leitner is a German luger who competed from 1998 to 2010. Together with Alexander Resch he won the men's doubles event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, United States. They also competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics, finishing sixth... Alexander Resch Alexander Resch Alexander Resch is a German luger who competed from 1998 to 2010. Together with Patric Leitner, he won the men's doubles event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, United States. They also competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics, finishing sixth... |
48.608 |
Death of Nodar Kumaritashvili
During training on February 12, 2010, Georgian luger, Nodar KumaritashviliNodar Kumaritashvili
Nodar David Kumaritashvili was a Georgian luger, who suffered a fatal crash during a training run for the 2010 Winter Olympics competition in Vancouver, Canada, on the day of the opening ceremony...
was going at over 143 kilometres per hour (88.9 mph) when he crashed in the last turn and hit a steel pole. He was administered CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency procedure which is performed in an effort to manually preserve intact brain function until further measures are taken to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing in a person in cardiac arrest. It is indicated in those who are unresponsive...
at the track, then taken away to hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Training was immediately stopped. As a result, the start of the men's single competition was moved to the women's/doubles' start to reduce speed and the wall at corner where Kumaritashvili crashed was raised.
Investigations were conducted the same day, concluding that the accident was not caused by deficiencies in the track. As a preventative measure, the walls at the exit of curve 16 will be raised and a change in the ice profile will be made. A joint statement was issued by the FIL, the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
, and the Vancouver Organizing Committee over Kurmaitasvili's death with training suspended for the rest of that day. According to the Coroners Service of British Columbia and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
, the cause was to Kumaritashvili coming out of turn 15 late and not compensating for turn 16. Because of this fatality, an extra 40 yd (36.6 m) of wall was added after the end of Turn 16 and the ice profile was changed. It also moved the men's singles luge event from its starthouse to the one for both the women's singles and men's doubles event. Kumaritashvili is the first Olympic athlete to die at the Winter Olympics in training since 1992
1992 Winter Olympics
The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
and the first luger to die in a practice event at the Winter Olympics since Kazimierz Kay-Skrzypeski
Kazimierz Kay-Skrzypeski
Kazimierz Kay-Skrzypecki was a Polish-born British luge racer.Kay-Skrzypecki was a former pilot in the Royal Air Force. He died during one of the training runs for the first Olympic luge competition at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck. Three days later, on 26 January 1964, Australian...
of Great Britain was killed at the luge track
Igls bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track
The Olympic Sliding Centre Innsburck is a venue for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton located in Igls, Austria . The most recent version of the track was completed in 1975 and is the first permanent, combination artificially refrigerated bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track, serving as a model for other...
used for the 1964 Winter Olympics
1964 Winter Olympics
The 1964 Winter Olympics, officially known as the IX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Innsbruck, Austria, from January 29 to February 9, 1964...
in Innsbruck
Innsbruck
- Main sights :- Buildings :*Golden Roof*Kaiserliche Hofburg *Hofkirche with the cenotaph of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor*Altes Landhaus...
. It was also luge's first fatality (on an artificial track) since 10 December 1975, when an Italian luger was killed. Kumaritavili's teammate Levan Gureshidze
Levan Gureshidze
Levan Gureshidze is a Georgian luger who has competed since 2008. He finished 55th in the 2008-09 Luge World Cup.Gureshidze qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics but withdrew from the competition after teammate Nodar Kumaritashvili died during a training run accident at the Olympics...
withdrew prior to the first run of the event.
The women's singles and men's doubles starts were moved to the Junior start house of the track, located after turn 6. Germany's Natalie Geisenberger
Natalie Geisenberger
Natalie Geisenberger is a German luger. She won a bronze medal in the women's singles event at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver....
complained that it was not a women's start but more of a kinder ("child" in German) start. Her teammate Tatjana Hüfner
Tatjana Hüfner
Tatjana Hüfner is a German luger who is the current Olympic Champion and has competed since 2003. She won the bronze medal in the women's singles at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin...
who had the fastest speed on two runs of 82.3 mph (132.4 km/h) stated that the new start position "..does not help good starters like myself". American Erin Hamlin
Erin Hamlin
Erin Hamlin is an American luger who has competed since 2005. She won the gold medal in the women's singles event at the 2009 FIL World Luge Championships in Lake Placid, New York; this marked the first time in 99 races that a German woman was not the top finisher.Hamlin finished 12th in the...
stated the track was still demanding even after the distance was lessened from 1193 to 953 m (3,914 to 3,126.6 ft) and that you were still hitting 80 mph (128.7 km/h). Despite criticisms, media reports about the doubles competition portrayed the track changes positively after Austria's Tobias
Tobias Schiegl
Tobias Schiegl is an Austrian luger who competed from 1993 to 2010. He won fourteen medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with five golds , five silvers , and four bronzes Tobias Schiegl (born October 5, 1973 in Kufstein) is an Austrian luger who competed from 1993 to 2010. He won fourteen...
and Markus Schiegl
Markus Schiegl
Markus Schiegl is an Austrian luger who has competed from 1987 to 2010. He won fourteen medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with five golds , five silvers , and four bronzes Markus Schiegl (born 07.06.1975 in Kufstein) is an Austrian luger who has competed from 1987 to 2010. He won fourteen...
crashed at the same turn where Kumaritashvili died.
On 23 March 2010, FIL President Fendt, VANOC President John Furlong
John Furlong (Canadian)
John Furlong, O.C, O.B.C was the President and Chief Executive Officer of VANOC which oversaw the preparation and execution of the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Paralympics Games...
, 2010 men's singles gold medalist Felix Loch
Felix Loch
Felix Loch is a German luger and Olympic champion. He has been competing since 1995 and has been on the German national team since 2006. He won five medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with four golds and one silver...
of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
visited Kumaritashvili's grave in his hometown of Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani is a skiing resort in the Borjomi district of Georgia. It is located on the northern slope of the Trialeti Range, at an elevation of 1,700 meters above sea level....
to pay respects as part of tradition in the Georgian Othrodox Church.
The FIL published their reports in regards to Kumaritashvili's death on 12 April 2010 following the FIL Commissions Meeting in St. Leonhard, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
(near Salzburg
Salzburg
-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
) for both sport and technical commissions on 9-11 April 2010. This report was prepared by Romstad and Claire DelNegro, Vice-President Sport Artificial Track, who is from the United States.
Qualifying athletes
The following athletes had qualified for the doubles event as of 4 February 2010.Competition
The two-run event took place on 17 February at 17:00 PST and 18:30 PST.Linger and Linger had the fastest time in both runs and won their second straight Olympic gold medal in this event, joining the East German duo of Hans Rinn
Hans Rinn
Hans Rinn is an East German former luger who competed from the early 1970s to the early 1980s...
and Norbert Hahn
Norbert Hahn
Norbert Hahn is an East German former luger who competed from the mid 1970s to the early 1980s...
who won the event in 1976
Luge at the 1976 Winter Olympics
-Men's singles:Silver medalist Josef Fendt is the current President of the International Luge Federation .-Doubles:-Women's singles:-Medal table:-References:***...
and 1980
Luge at the 1980 Winter Olympics
-Men's singles:-Doubles:The doubles team of Hans Rinn and Norbert Hahn became the first repeat winners of an Olympic luge event.-Women's singles:-Medal table:-References:***...
as the only repeat gold medalists in the event in Olympic history. This was also Austria
Austria at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Austria participated at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.- Medalists :- Alpine Skiing :Stefanie Köhle, Mario Matt and Hannes Reichelt were withdrawn from the squad prior to the opening ceremony- Biathlon :...
's first gold medal at these Olympics for the co-opening ceremony flagbearers
2010 Winter Olympics national flag bearers
During the Parade of Nations at the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, held beginning at 6:00 PM PST on February 12, 2010, 82 athletes bearing the flags of their respective nations led their national delegations as they paraded into BC Place Stadium in the host city of Vancouver, British...
. The Šics brothers earned Latvia
Latvia at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Latvia participated at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with 58 athletes in 9 sports, which tied the biggest Latvian delegation to the Olympics ever....
's first medals at these Olympics. 2002 gold medalists Leitner and Resch earned bronze medals in their last competition. Defending World Cup champions Florschütz and Wustlich finished fifth while defending world champions Plankensteiner and Haselrieder finished a disappointing ninth.
During the first run, Schiegl and Schiegl survived a crash on Turn 16 where they came in too high. Tobias tried to correct the oversteer only to have the cousins collide on the opposite side of the ice wall, causing both cousins to go airborne momentarily. Neither cousin suffered any injury.
Results
| Rank | Bib | Athlete | Country | Run 1 | Run 2 | Total | Behind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Andreas Linger Andreas Linger Andreas Linger is an Austrian luger who has competed internationally since 2000. He and his younger brother Wolfgang began luging at a very young age, and did their first doubles run when they were 14... Wolfgang Linger Wolfgang Linger Wolfgang Linger is an Austrian luger who has competed internationally since 2000. As young children, he and his older brother Andreas learned to luge on a former Olympic luge track, and at age 14 began competing as a doubles team for the first time... |
8.217 41.332 |
8.191 41.373 |
1:22.705 | 0.000 | ||
| 7 | Andris Šics Andris Šics Andris Šics is a Latvian luger who has competed since 1998. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he won a silver medal in the men's doubles event at Vancouver in 2010 alongside his teammate, older brother Juris Šics.... Juris Šics Juris Šics Juris Šics is a Latvian luger who has competed since 1998. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he won a silver medal in the men's doubles event at Vancouver in 2010 alongside his teammate, younger brother Andris Šics.... |
8.256 41.420 |
8.251 41.549 |
1:22.969 | +0.264 | ||
| 6 | Patric Leitner Patric Leitner Patric-Fritz Leitner is a German luger who competed from 1998 to 2010. Together with Alexander Resch he won the men's doubles event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, United States. They also competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics, finishing sixth... Alexander Resch Alexander Resch Alexander Resch is a German luger who competed from 1998 to 2010. Together with Patric Leitner, he won the men's doubles event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, United States. They also competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics, finishing sixth... |
8.315 41.566 |
8.261 41.474 |
1:23.040 | +0.335 | ||
| 2 | Christian Oberstolz Christian Oberstolz Christian Oberstolz is an Italian luger who has competed since 1997. He won four medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with two silvers and two bronzes .At the FIL European Luge Championships, Oberstolz won five medals with one gold , three... Patrick Gruber Patrick Gruber Patrick Gruber is an Italian luger who has competed since 1997. He won four medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with two silvers and two bronzes .At the FIL European Luge Championships, Gruber won five medals with one gold Patrick Gruber (born January 31, 1978 in Bruneck) is an Italian... |
8.244 41.527 |
8.261 41.585 |
1:23.112 | +0.407 | ||
| 4 | André Florschütz André Florschütz André Florschütz is a German luger who competed from 1993 to 2010. Together with Torsten Wustlich, he won the silver medal in the men's doubles event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.... Torsten Wustlich Torsten Wustlich Torsten Wustlich is a German luger who competed from 1998 to 2010. Together with André Florschütz, he won the silver medal in the men's doubles event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.... |
8.276 41.545 |
8.345 41.645 |
1:23.190 | +0.485 | ||
| 3 | Dan Joye Dan Joye Dan Joye is a Venezuelan-born, American luger who has competed since 1995. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of sixth in the men's doubles event at Vancouver in 2010.... Christian Niccum Christian Niccum Christian Niccum is an American luger who has competed since 1998. He finished 23nd in the men's singles event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin... |
8.359 41.602 |
8.408 41.689 |
1:23.291 | +0.586 | ||
| 1 | Chris Moffat Chris Moffat Chris Moffat is a Canadian luger who has competed since 2000. Competing in three Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of fifth in the men's doubles event at Salt Lake City in 2002.... Mike Moffat |
8.363 41.675 |
8.319 41.723 |
1:23.398 | +0.693 | ||
| 5 | Tobias Schiegl Tobias Schiegl Tobias Schiegl is an Austrian luger who competed from 1993 to 2010. He won fourteen medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with five golds , five silvers , and four bronzes Tobias Schiegl (born October 5, 1973 in Kufstein) is an Austrian luger who competed from 1993 to 2010. He won fourteen... Markus Schiegl Markus Schiegl Markus Schiegl is an Austrian luger who has competed from 1987 to 2010. He won fourteen medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with five golds , five silvers , and four bronzes Markus Schiegl (born 07.06.1975 in Kufstein) is an Austrian luger who has competed from 1987 to 2010. He won fourteen... |
8.275 41.727 |
8.293 41.801 |
1:23.528 | +0.823 | ||
| 8 | Oswald Haselrieder Oswald Haselrieder Oswald Haselrieder is an Italian national of Austrian descent luger who competed from 1990 to 2010... Gerhard Plankensteiner Gerhard Plankensteiner Gerhard Plankensteiner is an Italian national of Austrian descent luger who competed from 1986 to 2010... |
8.419 41.789 |
8.374 41.860 |
1:23.649 | +0.944 | ||
| 10 | 10 | Vladimir Makhnutin Vladimir Makhnutin Vladimir Makhnutin is a Russian luger who has competed since 1997. His best Luge World Cup finish was 15th in men's doubles in 2007-08.... Vladislav Yuzhakov Vladislav Yuzhakov Vladislav Yuzhakov is a Russian luger who has competed since 1995. His best Luge World Cup finish was 15th in men's doubles in 2007-08.... |
8.395 41.798 |
8.422 41.948 |
1:23.746 | +1.041 | |
| 11 | 15 | Jan Harnis Jan Harnis Ján Harniš is a Slovak luger who has competed since 2004. His best Luge World Cup season finish was 18th in men's doubles in 2006-07.... Branislav Regec Branislav Regec Branislav Regec is a Slovak luger who has competed since 2000. His best Luge World Cup season finish was 18th in men's doubles in 2006-07.... |
8.422 42.018 |
8.411 41.924 |
1:23.942 | +1.237 | |
| 12 | 19 | Oskars Gudramovičs Oskars Gudramovičs Oskars Gudramovics is a Latvian luger who has competed since 2004. He finished 26th in men's doubles at the FIL World Luge Championships 2007 in Igls.... Pēteris Kalniņš Pēteris Kalniņš Pēteris Kalniņš is a Latvian luger who has competed since 2004. He finished 26th in men's doubles at the FIL World Luge Championships 2007 in Igls.... |
8.385 41.982 |
8.496 42.013 |
1:23.995 | +1.290 | |
| 13 | 9 | Mark Grimmette Brian Martin Brian Martin (luger) Brian Martin is an American luger who competed from 1990 to 2010. Competing in four Winter Olympics, he won two medals in the men's doubles event with a silver in 2002 and a bronze in 1998.... |
8.448 41.821 |
8.571 42.184 |
1:24.005 | +1.300 | |
| 14 | 12 | Mikhail Kuzmich Stanislav Mikheev Stanislav Mikheev Stanislav Mikheev is a Russian luger who has competed since the mid 2000s. His best finish at the FIL European Luge Championships was sixth in the men's doubles event at Sigulda in 2010.... |
8.488 42.174 |
8.453 41.981 |
1:24.155 | +1.450 | |
| 15 | 18 | Justin Snith Justin Snith Justin Snith is a Canadian luger who has competed since 2008. His best Luge World Cup finish was 13th in men's doubles at Calgary on 21 November 2009.Snith qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics where he finished 15th.-References:*... Tristan Walker Tristan Walker Tristan Walker is a Canadian luger who has competed since 2008. His best Luge World Cup finish was 8th in men's doubles at Cesana in the 2011 World Championships.Walker qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics where he finished 15th.... |
8.522 42.100 |
8.531 42.120 |
1:24.220 | +1.515 | |
| 16 | 13 | Andriy Kis Andriy Kis Andriy Kis is a Ukrainian luger who has competed since 2003. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of 14th in the men's doubles event at Turin in 2006.... Yuriy Hayduk Yuriy Hayduk Yuriy Hayduk is a Ukrainian luger who has competed since 2003. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of 14th in the men's doubles event at Turin in 2006.... |
8.415 42.219 |
8.437 42.136 |
1:24.355 | +1.650 | |
| 17 | 14 | Cosmin Chetroiu Cosmin Chetroiu Cosmin Chetroiu is a Romanian luger who has competed since 1999. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of 17th in the men's doubles event at Vancouver in 2010.He was born in Petroşani.... Ionut Taran Ionut Taran Ionuţ Ţăran is a Romanian luger who has competed since 1999.He was born in Topliţa.Competing in two Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of 17th in the men's doubles event at Vancouver in 2010.... |
8.506 42.360 |
8.471 42.271 |
1:24.631 | +1.926 | |
| 18 | 17 | Luboš Jíra Luboš Jíra Luboš Jíra is a Czech luger who has competed since 2000. He finished 15th in the men's doubles event at the FIL European Luge Championships 2010 in Sigulda.Jíra qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics where he finished 18th.-References:*... Matěj Kvíčala Matěj Kvíčala Matěj Kvíčala is a Czech luger who has competed since 1999. He finished 15th in the men's doubles event at the FIL European Luge Championships 2010 in Sigulda.Kvíčala qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics where he finished 18th.... |
8.470 42.204 |
8.592 42.459 |
1:24.663 | +1.958 | |
| 19 | 20 | Taras Senkiv Taras Senkiv Taras Senkiv is a Ukrainian luger who has competed since 2005. His best Luge World Cup finish was 17th in men's doubles at Calgary on 21 November 2009.Senkiv qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics where he finished 19th.-References:*... Roman Zaharkiv Roman Zaharkiv Roman Zaharkiv is a Ukrainian luger who has competed since 2005. His best Luge World Cup finish was 17th in men's doubles at Calgary on 21 November 2009.Zaharkiv qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics where he finished 19th.... |
8.721 42.767 |
8.639 42.595 |
1:25.362 | +2.657 | |
| 20 | 16 | Paul Ifrim Paul Ifrim Paul Ifrim is a Romanian luger who has competed since 2004. His best finish at the FIL World Luge Championships was 16th in the men's doubles event at Lake Placid, New York in 2009.... Andrei Anghel Andrei Anghel Andreu Anghel is a Romanian luger who has competed since 2004. His best finish at the FIL World Luge Championships was 16th in the men's doubles event at Lake Placid, New York in 2009.... |
8.575 43.007 |
8.493 42.466 |
1:25.473 | +2.768 |