Oberhof bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track
Encyclopedia
The Oberhof bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track is a venue used for bobsled, luge
and skeleton
located in Oberhof, Germany
.
_1973,_minr_1831.jpg)
Oberhof had been the home of sledding activities since 1905, mostly bobsleigh. In 1931
, the facility hosted the first ever FIBT World Championships
in the two-man bobsleigh event won by the two-man German
team of Hanns Killian and Sebastian Huber
. After World War II
, Oberhof was partitioned into East Germany. Following the successes of the East Germans at the FIL World Luge Championships during the 1960s with Thomas Köhler
(men's singles world champion in 1962
and 1967
, men's doubles world champion in 1965
and 1967
), Ilse Geisler
(women's singles world champion in 1962 and 1963
), Ortrun Enderlein
(women's singles world champion in 1965 and 1967), Petra Tierlich
(women's singles world champion in 1969
, Wolfgang Scheidel
(men's doubles world champion in 1965), and Klaus Bonsack
(men's doubles world champion in 1967), the East German government decided it was time to construct a permanent, artificially refrigerated
reinforced concrete
track for year-round training and usage. In 1966, East Germany was awarded the FIL World Luge Championships in Friedrichroda
(misspelled as Friedrichsroda), but the event was cancelled.The success of the first permanent bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track in Königssee
, West Germany
, completed in 1968 and first used for the world luge championships the following year, also played a factor. In 1969, it was decided to construct a permanent facility in Oberhof. The track was completed in 1971 with a World Cup test taking place the following year. Since then the track has hosted World Cup events, mostly in luge though it has hosted events in bobsleigh (1974 in two-man) and skeleton (1993). Oberhof has also undergone three track renovations, the first in 1996 where it was closed from April to October for a total reconstruction, a second in 2002 when a new ammonia
refrigeration system was installed and turn 14 was modified for safety reason, and a third in 2006 when new start houses were built for both men and women, and turn 7's profile was modified for safety reasons. The most recent cost to renovate the track was €
4 million.
The only named curves are the "S-Kombination" (German for "S Combination") which are turns eight through eleven and the "Zielkurve" (German for "Finish Curve") is turn fourteen, a Kreisel
(or circular) curve.
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...
and skeleton
Skeleton (sport)
Skeleton is a fast winter sliding sport in which an individual person rides a small sled down a frozen track while lying face down, during which athletes experience forces up to 5g. It originated in St. Moritz, Switzerland as a spin-off from the popular British sport of Cresta Sledding...
located in Oberhof, Germany
Oberhof, Germany
Oberhof is a town in the Schmalkalden-Meiningen district of Thuringia, Germany. It is a winter sports center and health resort. It is visited by tenfold as many tourists every year...
.
History
FIBT World Championships 1931
The FIBT World Championships 1931 took place in Oberhof, Germany and in St. Moritz, Switzerland . Two-man bobsleigh made its debut.-Two man bobsleigh:-Four man bobsleigh:-Medal table:-References:**...
, the facility hosted the first ever FIBT World Championships
FIBT World Championships
The FIBT World Championships, part of the Fédération Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing , have taken place on an annual basis in non-Winter Olympic years since 1930. A two-man event was included in 1931 with a combined championship occurring in 1947...
in the two-man bobsleigh event won by the two-man 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 Hanns Killian and Sebastian Huber
Sebastian Huber
Sebastian "Wastl" Huber was a German bobsledder who competed from the late 1920s to the mid 1930s...
. After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Oberhof was partitioned into East Germany. Following the successes of the East Germans at the FIL World Luge Championships during the 1960s with Thomas Köhler
Thomas Köhler
Thomas Köhler is an East German former luger who competed during the 1960s.He won three Winter Olympic medals in men's luge with two golds and one silver ....
(men's singles world champion in 1962
FIL World Luge Championships 1962
The FIL World Luge Championships 1962 took place in Krynica, Poland. This was the city's second time hosting the event, doing so previously in 1955.-Men's singles:-Women's singles:-Men's doubles:-Medal table:-References:***...
and 1967
FIL World Luge Championships 1967
The FIL World Luge Championships 1967 took place in Hammarstrand, Sweden. This event was held following the cancellation of the previous year's championships in Friedrichroda, East Germany, which was the last cancellation in the history of the world championships.-Men's singles:-Women's...
, men's doubles world champion in 1965
FIL World Luge Championships 1965
The FIL World Luge Championships 1965 took place in Davos, Switzerland. This is the second time the city has hosted the event, having done so in 1957.-Men's singles:-Women's singles:-Men's doubles:...
and 1967
FIL World Luge Championships 1967
The FIL World Luge Championships 1967 took place in Hammarstrand, Sweden. This event was held following the cancellation of the previous year's championships in Friedrichroda, East Germany, which was the last cancellation in the history of the world championships.-Men's singles:-Women's...
), Ilse Geisler
Ilse Geisler
Ilse Geisler is an East German luger who competed from the late 1950s to the mid 1960s. She won the silver medal in the women's singles event at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck.She was born in Kunnersdorf....
(women's singles world champion in 1962 and 1963
FIL World Luge Championships 1963
-Men's singles:-Women's singles:Geisler becomes the first woman to repeat as World Champion.-Men's doubles:-Medal table:-References:***...
), Ortrun Enderlein
Ortrun Enderlein
Ortrun Enderlein is an East German luger who competed in the 1960s. She was born in Werdau. She won the gold medal in the women's singles event at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck...
(women's singles world champion in 1965 and 1967), Petra Tierlich
Petra Tierlich
Petra Tierlich, born 25 Feb 1945, is an East German luger who competed in the 1960s. She won three medals in the women's singles event at the FIL World Luge Championships with a gold in 1969 and two silvers in 1965 and 1967.-References:**...
(women's singles world champion in 1969
FIL World Luge Championships 1969
The FIL World Luge Championships 1969 took place in Königssee, West Germany. It marked the first time the event took place on a permanent, artificially refrigerated track in bobsleigh, luge, and/ or skeleton.-Men's singles:-Women's singles:...
, Wolfgang Scheidel
Wolfgang Scheidel
Wolfgang Scheidel is an East German former luger who competed from the mid 1960s to the early 1970s...
(men's doubles world champion in 1965), and Klaus Bonsack
Klaus Bonsack
Klaus Bonsack is an East German former luger who competed during the 1960s and early 1970s.He was born in Waltershausen, Thuringia....
(men's doubles world champion in 1967), the East German government decided it was time to construct a permanent, artificially refrigerated
Refrigeration
Refrigeration is a process in which work is done to move heat from one location to another. This work is traditionally done by mechanical work, but can also be done by magnetism, laser or other means...
reinforced concrete
Reinforced concrete
Reinforced concrete is concrete in which reinforcement bars , reinforcement grids, plates or fibers have been incorporated to strengthen the concrete in tension. It was invented by French gardener Joseph Monier in 1849 and patented in 1867. The term Ferro Concrete refers only to concrete that is...
track for year-round training and usage. In 1966, East Germany was awarded the FIL World Luge Championships in Friedrichroda
Friedrichroda
Friedrichroda is a town in the district of Gotha, Thuringia, Germany. It is situated at the north foot of the Thuringian Forest, 21 km by rail southwest of the town of Gotha. It is surrounded by fir-clad hills and possesses numerous handsome villa residences, a Kurhaus and a sanatorium...
(misspelled as Friedrichsroda), but the event was cancelled.The success of the first permanent bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track in Königssee
Schönau am Königsee
Schönau am Königsee is a municipality in the district of Berchtesgadener Land in the German state of Bavaria. It is located at the northern end of the Königssee lake....
, West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
, completed in 1968 and first used for the world luge championships the following year, also played a factor. In 1969, it was decided to construct a permanent facility in Oberhof. The track was completed in 1971 with a World Cup test taking place the following year. Since then the track has hosted World Cup events, mostly in luge though it has hosted events in bobsleigh (1974 in two-man) and skeleton (1993). Oberhof has also undergone three track renovations, the first in 1996 where it was closed from April to October for a total reconstruction, a second in 2002 when a new ammonia
Ammonia
Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula . It is a colourless gas with a characteristic pungent odour. Ammonia contributes significantly to the nutritional needs of terrestrial organisms by serving as a precursor to food and fertilizers. Ammonia, either directly or...
refrigeration system was installed and turn 14 was modified for safety reason, and a third in 2006 when new start houses were built for both men and women, and turn 7's profile was modified for safety reasons. The most recent cost to renovate the track was €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
4 million.
Statistics
Overall track length is 1354.5 meters. The venue includes a vertical drop of 96.37 meters from start to finish.| Sport | Length (meters) | Turns |
|---|---|---|
| Men's singles luge, men's skeleton, two-man bobsleigh | 1069.70 | 14 |
| Women's luge and skeleton - women's singles and men's doubles | 945.60 | 11 |
| Junior's luge and skeleton | 665.40 | 7 |
The only named curves are the "S-Kombination" (German for "S Combination") which are turns eight through eleven and the "Zielkurve" (German for "Finish Curve") is turn fourteen, a Kreisel
Kreisel
Kreisel is the name of a turn found on six bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton tracks around the world. This is a turn that moves the bobsled, luge, or skeleton around between 270 and 320 degrees around the circumference of the circle....
(or circular) curve.
| Sport | Record | Nation - athlete(s) | Date | Time (seconds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobsleigh two-man | Track | - Wolfgang Hoppe Wolfgang Hoppe Wolfgang Hoppe is an East German former decathlete, bob pilot and 36-time international medal winner who competed from the early 1980s to the late 1990s... & Bogdan Musiol Bogdan Musiol Bogdan Musiol is an East German-German bobsledder who competed from the late 1970s to the early 1990s.... |
1988 | 44.62 |
| Luge - men's singles | Start | David Möller David Möller David Möller is a German luger who has competed since 2001. He won six medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with four golds , one silver , and one bronze Möller also won four medals at the FIL European Luge Championships with one gold , one silver... - |
27 January 2008 | 8.199 |
| Luge - men's singles | Track | 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... - |
27 January 2008 | 44.996 |
| Luge - women's singles | Start | 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.... - |
25 January 2008 | 7.995 |
| Luge - women's singles | Track | 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... - |
16 January 2010 | 42.920 |
| Luge - men's doubles | Start | - 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.... |
16 January 2010 | 7.755 |
| Luge - men's doubles | Track | - 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.... |
16 January 2010 | 42.717 |
Championships hosted
- FIL European Luge Championships: 1979FIL European Luge Championships 1979The FIL European Luge Championships 1979 took place in Oberhof, East Germany.-Men's singles:-Women's singles:-Men's doubles:-Medal table:-References:***...
, 1998FIL European Luge Championships 1998The FIL European Luge Championships 1998 took place in Oberhof, Germany for the second time having hosted the event previously in 1979.-Men's singles:-Women's singles:-Men's doubles:-Mixed team:-Medal table:-References:****...
, and 2004FIL European Luge Championships 2004The FIL European Luge Championships 2004 took place in Oberhof, Germany for the third time having hosted the event previously in 1979 and 1998. The number of teams per nation in the mixed team event is reduced from two to one starting at these championships....
. - FIL World Luge Championships: 1973FIL World Luge Championships 1973The FIL World Luge Championships 1973 took place in Oberhof, East Germany.-Men's singles:-Women's singles:-Men's doubles:-Medal table:-References:***...
, 1985FIL World Luge Championships 1985The FIL World Luge Championships 1985 took place in Oberhof, East Germany for the second time, having done so previously in 1973.-Men's singles:-Women's singles:-Men's doubles:-Medal table:-References:***...
, 2008FIL World Luge Championships 2008The FIL World Luge Championships 2008 took place January 21-27, 2008 at the bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track in Oberhof, Germany for the third time after having hosted the event in 1973 and 1985. The relay competition took the place of the team event that had been held at every world...
.