How to Build an Artificial Luge Track

Artificial luge tracks are used during international and Olympic events to even the playing field for all competitors. There are only a handful of artificial luge tracks in the world that meet the requirements for the Winter Games. If you want to build an artificial luge track, you need to know the essential steps to creating a track that world class lugers want to use. Read on to learn more.

Things You'll Need

• Evaporators
• Laser system
• Large digital clocks
• Motion activated cameras

Instructions

Generate a Competitive Artificial Luge Track

1. Purchase evaporators to help cool your artificial luge track to the appropriate level. Evaporators in conjunction with a refrigeration system allow you to cool the concrete structure enough to create a smooth luging surface.

2. Create rounded concrete edges on your luge track to act as outside barriers during competition. These edges should be formed along with the base concrete layer during the initial stage of construction.

3. Place your evaporators underneath the concrete layer at regular intervals. These evaporators will be connected to maintain a steady temperature around -5 to -10 degrees C at intervals of 100 to 125 feet.

4. Establish a regular schedule with your maintenance staff to distribute water over the cooled luge surface. After your evaporators begin to cool the concrete surface, you should create a watering rotation that ensures each section of the track is evenly covered. The ideal ice thickness is around 2 inches though additional layers can help protect against melting during competition.

5. Measure out the track length and width after you develop the appropriate design. Olympic luge tracks traditionally span less than 1 mile to keep races short and maintenance simple. You need to build a track where the beginning point is 350 to 450 feet higher than the ending point to ensure sufficient momentum to finish each race.

6. Calibrate a laser system and timing device at each end of your luge track. The laser system helps keep track of disqualifying starts and the point of a luger's contact with the finish line. The timing device helps judges and organizers keep track of race times during competition.

7. Install motion activated camera at each corner as you build your artificial luge track. Cameras help television networks get better angles during their coverage while providing insight into problem areas on your track.

Tips & Warnings

• Increase the difficulty of your artificial luge track by adding several curves in a row without a significant straight away. You can utilize slight uphill angles, sharp curves and gradual turns to keep lugers guessing. Consult with experienced lugers to determine if your curves are original or plausible in Olympic competition.