Sledding is faster than alpine skiing due to its aerodynamic design and the lying position of the sledder, offering less air resistance compared to the standing position of the skier.
Sledding is practiced on tracks specifically designed to optimize speed: they are often smoother, with banked turns allowing for fluid trajectories and no loss of momentum. The slope is generally steeper and more consistent than in alpine skiing, where ski areas must also accommodate skiers of different levels. No bumps or unnecessary obstacles here. The courses designed for sledding emphasize a direct, clean descent, encouraging rapid acceleration. In short, everything is built for speed, without unnecessarily slowing down the glide.
In luge, the athlete lies on their back, feet down and head back. This position greatly limits air resistance, which is by far the most important factor when seeking speed. In simple terms, the luger's body forms almost a single horizontal line very close to the ground, which minimizes its surface area exposed to the wind. It cuts through the air better than a standing skier, even when the skier adopts an "egg" position. The result? Less turbulence, less air drag, and an overall better acceleration allowing the luge to reach truly impressive speeds.
In sledding, the steel runners are specially polished and sharpened to provide a minimal contact surface with the icy track. This means that they rub much less than with traditional skis, which are wider and create more resistance. Furthermore, the ice on sledding tracks is often prepared with particular care to be ultra-smooth, thereby minimizing friction as much as possible. The result: the sled glides at high speed without being hindered by friction, allowing for impressive speeds that exceed those of alpine skiing.
The equipment used for sledding is specially designed to achieve extreme speeds. The sled itself is made from modern materials like fiberglass or carbon, which are lightweight yet very strong. The sledder wears a very lightweight, form-fitting suit, specifically designed to be ultra aerodynamic, thus reducing air drag. A rounded helmet without protrusions, pointed shoes that minimize opposing air, all of this helps to glide as fast as possible. Additionally, sledders themselves are usually light and athletic, as a reduced weight allows for quicker acceleration, but within certain limits: a little extra weight can still be beneficial to gain even more speed in very steep sections. Less total weight means less resistance to movement, and off you go at full speed! That’s why the combination of perfectly designed equipment and a lightweight athlete is a winning duo when it comes to speed.
In a professional luge race, every millisecond counts: athletes meticulously optimize their equipment, even choosing a specially designed suit to reduce aerodynamic drag, sometimes gaining crucial fractions of a second.
Unlike alpine skis that have metal edges for making precise turns, the runners of a sled are thinner and specially treated to minimize friction on the ice.
In 2010, Austrian luger Manuel Pfister set an unofficial speed record in luge, reaching nearly 154 km/h during training for the Vancouver Olympic Games!
The lying-on-the-back position of the sledder allows them to present a much smaller surface area to the air, thereby limiting aerodynamic resistance. This explains why they reach such high speeds.
The prone position adopted by the lugers significantly reduces air resistance. This horizontal posture close to the ground optimizes overall aerodynamics and allows for high speeds.
Yes, practicing high-speed sledding involves certain risks such as injuries from falls or collisions. This explains the importance of specific equipment and specially designed tracks to ensure safety and optimal performance.
Absolutely. Luge athletes undergo rigorous training that emphasizes abdominal and back strength, as well as muscle coordination. Good body control is essential to maintain an optimal aerodynamic position.
The temperature of the ice plays a major role in the speed achieved: colder ice promotes faster sliding due to better rigidity and a noticeable reduction in friction, making the sled faster under certain climatic conditions.
In competition, elite lugers can reach maximum speeds exceeding 140 km/h, which is significantly higher than the majority of speeds recorded in alpine skiing.
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