Lake Placid bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track
Encyclopedia
The Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Bobsled Run. is a venue for bobsleigh
, luge
and skeleton
located in Lake Placid, New York
, United States
. This venue was used for the 1932
and 1980 Winter Olympics
and for the only winter Goodwill Games
in 2000. The third and most recent version of the track was completed in 2000 with the track hosting both the first FIBT World Championships
and FIL World Luge Championships done outside of Europe, doing so in 1949
and 1983
. In 2010 the bobsled track was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
As Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Bobsled Run, the structure was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
on February 4, 2010. The listing was announced as the featured listing in the National Park Service
's weekly list of February 19, 2010.
Prior to the 1932 Winter Olympics
, bobsleigh racing took place at the steep hill where the Intervales ski jump
would eventually be located. The attendees were delighted by the speeds of the bobsleds though several teams crashed during the run, sending two members of one team to the hospital as a result. The Intervales track only lasted one season (1929–30). Led by Henry Homburger
, the first track was surveyed and constructed during 1929-30 at Mount Van Hoevenberg
, located in the Whiteface Mountain
area though it was in spite of protests of using state-owned lands for construction of the facility for environmental reasons. After construction took place during August–December 1930, the track opened for use on Christmas
Day 1930. This track was 2366 meters long with 26 curves, a vertical drop of 228 meters, and an average grade of 9.6%.
After the 1932 games, the first 829 meters and ten curves of the track were eliminated, shortening the track's length to 1537 meters with 16 curves, and an average grade of 9.3%. In 1949, the track became the first venue outside of Europe to host the FIBT World Championships
though it would start with tragic results when Belgian
bobsledder Max Houben
was killed during a practice run off of "Shady" curve prior to the event. The Belgian team withdrew as a result.
It would be another twelve years
before the track hosted another world championship following safety improvements to the track. By this time, track officials had established a relationship with the International Bobsleigh and Tobogganing Federation (FIBT). Sergio Zardini
's fatal crash at the "Zig-Zag curves" on 22 February 1966 would lead to further safety improvements.
Following the world bobsleigh championships
of 1969
, 1973
, and 1978
, many race officials of those championships would serve on the organizing committee for the bobsleigh part
of the 1980 Winter Olympics
. The 1932 track was demolished in 1978 with actual construction taking place during September 1978-February 1979 with the creation of a reinforced concrete
, artificially refrigerated
bobsleigh track. The bobsleigh track was approved for competition in December 1979. In fall 1977, a separate luge track for the 1980 Games
, the first one in the United States
, was constructed with completion in time for the test competition in February 1979. During preparations for the 1980 Games, a combined two-man bobsleigh and luge track was considered, but abandoned to high cost and the track was redesigned with permission from the International Luge Federation (FIL). Following the 1980 games, both tracks hosted their respective world championships
in 1983
.
Skeleton racing debuted during the 1990s with the bobsleigh part of the track hosting the world championships in 1997
. By the late 1990s, parts of both tracks were demolished to make way for a new track that was constructed for the 2000 Winter Goodwill Games that was completed in January 2000. The track has been part of the Lake Placid Olympic Sports Complex
since the end of the 1980 Winter Olympics as part of the Olympic Regional Development Authority
(ORDA).
Since 2006, it has hosted the Chevy
Geoff Bodine
Bobsled Challenge, an annual event which has NASCAR
drivers take a run down the track to benefit the Bo-Dyn bobsled (co-created by the former NASCAR driver and 1986 Daytona 500
winner) in use by the United States since the start of the 1994 Winter Olympics
. In 2009, the competition took place between NASCAR and the National Hot Rod Association
(NHRA) which was won by Jeg Coughlin, Jr.
(NHRA) won the event. The 2010 event took place at the track 8–10 January with Melanie Troxel on the NHRA becoming the first woman to competes in the event.
In 2009, the track became the first to host bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton world championships in the same year in a non-Winter Olympic year (The bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track
in Park City, Utah
was the first to do so for the 2002 Winter Olympics
in neighboring Salt Lake City).
The track names were given by John Morgan
during Speed Channel
's World Cup bobsleigh coverage on 30 December 2006. Turn one is not listed. Even though luge - men's singles has their starthouse to the right of bobsleigh and skeleton start, the men's singles start in the same location as the bobsleigh and skeleton.
official report of the 26 total are shown below:
The bobsleigh track used for the 1980 Winter Olympics
consisted of 16 curves that was 1557 meters long with an elevation difference of 148 meters, a maximum grade of 14.0%, and an average grade of 9.5%.
The luge track used for the 1980 Winter Olympics had two different settings to the different start houses used during the competition. For the men's singles event, the track consisted of 14 curves that was 1014 meters long with an elevation difference of 95.55 meters, a maximum gradient of 30% and an average grade of 9.35%. In the women's singles and men's doubles event, the track consisted of 11 curves that was 749 meters long with an elevation difference of 59 meters, a maximum grade of 30%, and an average grade of 9.35%.
Bobsleigh
Bobsleigh or bobsled is a winter sport in which teams of two or four make timed runs down narrow, twisting, banked, iced tracks in a gravity-powered sled that are combined to calculate the final score....
, luge
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 Lake Placid, New York
Lake Placid, New York
Lake Placid is a village in the Adirondack Mountains in Essex County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village had a population of 2,638....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. This venue was used for the 1932
1932 Winter Olympics
The 1932 Winter Olympics, officially known as the III Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1932 in Lake Placid, New York, United States. The games opened on February 4 and closed on February 15. It would be the first winter olympics held in the United...
and 1980 Winter Olympics
1980 Winter Olympics
The 1980 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XIII Olympic Winter Games, was a multi-sport event which was celebrated from 13 February through 24 February 1980 in Lake Placid, New York, United States of America. This was the second time the Upstate New York village hosted the Games, after 1932...
and for the only winter Goodwill Games
Goodwill Games
The Goodwill Games was an international sports competition, created by Ted Turner in reaction to the political troubles surrounding the Olympic Games of the 1980s...
in 2000. The third and most recent version of the track was completed in 2000 with the track hosting both the first 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...
and FIL World Luge Championships done outside of Europe, doing so in 1949
FIBT World Championships 1949
The FIBT World Championships 1949 took place in Lake Placid, New York, United States. It marked the first time the championships took place outside of Europe.-Two man bobsleigh:-Four man bobsleigh:...
and 1983
FIL World Luge Championships 1983
The FIL World Luge Championships 1983 took place in Lake Placid, New York, United States. It marked the first time that the championships took place outside of Europe.-Men's singles:...
. In 2010 the bobsled track was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
History
The bobsled track was built in 1930. According to the National Park Service:
Carved out of wilderness and surrounded by forested land on all sides, the one and one-half mile long Olympic Bobsled Run was constructed in 1930 and built specifically for the 1932 Winter Olympic Games. The course was designed by Stanislaus Sentzytsky, a renowned German course designer, who designed a course that was radically different from its European counterparts. The Lake Placid course was longer, steeper, and featured a more pronounced drop in curves than European runs, which allowed for steadier driving and faster speeds than those obtained on prior bobsled events. After the American team won two gold medals and one silver in 1932, bobsledding, previously unknown in America, captivated the country’s interest, and U.S. teams dominated the sport until 1956. Although portions of the course have been retired, parts of the original Olympic Bobsled Run continue to be used for training and recreation.
As Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Bobsled Run, the structure was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on February 4, 2010. The listing was announced as the featured listing in the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
's weekly list of February 19, 2010.
Prior to the 1932 Winter Olympics
1932 Winter Olympics
The 1932 Winter Olympics, officially known as the III Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1932 in Lake Placid, New York, United States. The games opened on February 4 and closed on February 15. It would be the first winter olympics held in the United...
, bobsleigh racing took place at the steep hill where the Intervales ski jump
Ski jumping
Ski jumping is a sport in which skiers go down a take-off ramp, jump and attempt to land as far as possible down the hill below. In addition to the length of the jump, judges give points for style. The skis used for ski jumping are wide and long...
would eventually be located. The attendees were delighted by the speeds of the bobsleds though several teams crashed during the run, sending two members of one team to the hospital as a result. The Intervales track only lasted one season (1929–30). Led by Henry Homburger
Henry Homburger
Henry Anton Homburger was an American bobsledder who competed in the early 1930s.He was born in New York City and died in Sacramento....
, the first track was surveyed and constructed during 1929-30 at Mount Van Hoevenberg
Mount Van Hoevenberg
Mount Van Hoevenberg is a summit point located in the Adirondack Mountains in Essex County, New York, 9 miles east-southeast of the town of Lake Placid. Named for Henry Van Hoevenberg , it is best known for the location of the bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track, and of a network of...
, located in the Whiteface Mountain
Whiteface Mountain
Whiteface Mountain is the fifth-highest mountain in New York State, and one of the High Peaks of the Adirondack Mountains. Set apart from most of the other High Peaks, the summit offers a 360-degree view featuring the Adirondacks and perhaps on a clear day glimpses of Vermont and even Canada. The...
area though it was in spite of protests of using state-owned lands for construction of the facility for environmental reasons. After construction took place during August–December 1930, the track opened for use on Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
Day 1930. This track was 2366 meters long with 26 curves, a vertical drop of 228 meters, and an average grade of 9.6%.
After the 1932 games, the first 829 meters and ten curves of the track were eliminated, shortening the track's length to 1537 meters with 16 curves, and an average grade of 9.3%. In 1949, the track became the first venue outside of Europe to host the 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...
though it would start with tragic results when Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
bobsledder Max Houben
Max Houben
Max Houben was a Belgian athlete and bobsledder who competed from the early 1920s to the late 1940s. He won a silver medal in the four-man event at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St...
was killed during a practice run off of "Shady" curve prior to the event. The Belgian team withdrew as a result.
It would be another twelve years
FIBT World Championships 1961
The FIBT World Championships 1961 took place in Lake Placid, New York, United States for the second time after hosting the event previously in 1949.-Two man bobsleigh:Monti won his fifth straight championship in this event, a record that still stands...
before the track hosted another world championship following safety improvements to the track. By this time, track officials had established a relationship with the International Bobsleigh and Tobogganing Federation (FIBT). Sergio Zardini
Sergio Zardini
Sergio Zardini was an Italian bobsledder who competed from the late 1950s to the mid 1960s. He won the silver medal in the two-man event at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck...
's fatal crash at the "Zig-Zag curves" on 22 February 1966 would lead to further safety improvements.
Following the world bobsleigh 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...
of 1969
FIBT World Championships 1969
The FIBT World Championships 1969 took place in Lake Placid, New York, United States for the third time, hosting the event previously in 1949, and 1961. This also marked the first time both events were able to be competed since 1965.-Two man bobsleigh:...
, 1973
FIBT World Championships 1973
The FIBT World Championships 1973 took place in Lake Placid, New York, United States for the fourth time, hosting the event previously in 1949, 1961, and 1969.-Two man bobsleigh:-Four man bobsleigh:-Medal table:-References:**...
, and 1978
FIBT World Championships 1978
The FIBT World Championships 1978 took place in Lake Placid, New York, United States for the fifth time, hosting the event previously in 1949, 1961, 1969, and 1973.-Two man bobsleigh:-Four man bobsleigh:-Medal table:-References:**...
, many race officials of those championships would serve on the organizing committee for the bobsleigh part
Bobsleigh at the 1980 Winter Olympics
-Two-man:-Four-man:-Medal table:-References:**...
of the 1980 Winter Olympics
1980 Winter Olympics
The 1980 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XIII Olympic Winter Games, was a multi-sport event which was celebrated from 13 February through 24 February 1980 in Lake Placid, New York, United States of America. This was the second time the Upstate New York village hosted the Games, after 1932...
. The 1932 track was demolished in 1978 with actual construction taking place during September 1978-February 1979 with the creation of a 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...
, 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...
bobsleigh track. The bobsleigh track was approved for competition in December 1979. In fall 1977, a separate luge track for the 1980 Games
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:***...
, the first one in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, was constructed with completion in time for the test competition in February 1979. During preparations for the 1980 Games, a combined two-man bobsleigh and luge track was considered, but abandoned to high cost and the track was redesigned with permission from the International Luge Federation (FIL). Following the 1980 games, both tracks hosted their respective world championships
FIBT World Championships 1983
The FIBT World Championships 1983 took place in Lake Placid, New York, United States for the sixth time, hosting the event previously in 1949, 1961, 1969, 1973, and 1978.-Two man bobsleigh:-Four man bobsleigh:-Medal table:-References:**...
in 1983
FIL World Luge Championships 1983
The FIL World Luge Championships 1983 took place in Lake Placid, New York, United States. It marked the first time that the championships took place outside of Europe.-Men's singles:...
.
Skeleton racing debuted during the 1990s with the bobsleigh part of the track hosting the world championships in 1997
FIBT World Championships 1997
The FIBT World Championships 1997 took place in St. Moritz, Switzerland and Lake Placid, New York, United States . St. Moritz hosted a championship event for the record eighteenth time...
. By the late 1990s, parts of both tracks were demolished to make way for a new track that was constructed for the 2000 Winter Goodwill Games that was completed in January 2000. The track has been part of the Lake Placid Olympic Sports Complex
Lake Placid Olympic Sports Complex
The Lake Placid Olympic Sports Complex is a winter sports complex located at the foot of Mount Van Hoevenberg near Lake Placid, New York. Part of the Olympic Regional Development Authority , it was created following the 1980 Winter Olympics....
since the end of the 1980 Winter Olympics as part of the Olympic Regional Development Authority
Olympic Regional Development Authority
The Olympic Regional Development Authority is a New York State public benefit corporations, created by the State of New York to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games at Lake Placid, New York...
(ORDA).
Since 2006, it has hosted the Chevy
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
Geoff Bodine
Geoff Bodine
Geoffrey Eli Bodine is an American motorsport driver and bobsled builder. He is the oldest of the three Bodine brothers . Bodine currently lives in Cornelius, North Carolina....
Bobsled Challenge, an annual event which has NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
drivers take a run down the track to benefit the Bo-Dyn bobsled (co-created by the former NASCAR driver and 1986 Daytona 500
1986 Daytona 500
The 28th annual Daytona 500 was held February 16 at Daytona International Speedway. The #9 of Bill Elliott won the pole.Top Ten Results# 5-Geoff Bodine*# 44-Terry Labonte # 11-Darrell Waltrip # 8-Bobby Hillin, Jr...
winner) in use by the United States since the start of the 1994 Winter Olympics
1994 Winter Olympics
The 1994 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 12 to 27 February 1994 in and around Lillehammer, Norway. Lillehammer failed to win the bid for the 1992 event. Lillehammer was awarded the games in 1988, after having beat...
. In 2009, the competition took place between NASCAR and the National Hot Rod Association
National Hot Rod Association
The National Hot Rod Association is a drag racing governing body, which sets rules in drag racing and host events all over the United States and Canada...
(NHRA) which was won by Jeg Coughlin, Jr.
Jeg Coughlin, Jr.
Jeg Coughlin, Jr. is an American motorsports driver, competing in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Division. He announced at the 2006 U.S. Nationals that he would drive in three events towards the end of that season and would return to the Pro Stock ranks the following season as...
(NHRA) won the event. The 2010 event took place at the track 8–10 January with Melanie Troxel on the NHRA becoming the first woman to competes in the event.
In 2009, the track became the first to host bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton world championships in the same year in a non-Winter Olympic year (The bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track
Utah Olympic Park bobsleigh/luge/skeleton track
The Utah Olympic Park Track is a bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track located in the Utah Olympic Park, near Park City, Utah, United States. During the 2002 Winter Olympics, held nearby in Salt Lake City, the track hosted the bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton events...
in Park City, Utah
Park City, Utah
Park City is a town in Summit and Wasatch counties in the U.S. state of Utah. It is considered to be part of the Wasatch Back. The city is southeast of downtown Salt Lake City and from Salt Lake City's east edge of Sugar House along Interstate 80. The population was 7,558 at the 2010 census...
was the first to do so for the 2002 Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
in neighboring Salt Lake City).
Current track statistics
| Sport | Length (meters) | Turns | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobsleigh and men's singles luge | 1455 | 20 | 9.8% |
| Skeleton | - | 19 | 9.8% |
| Luge - women's singles and men's doubles | 1130 | 17 | - |
The track names were given by John Morgan
John Morgan (broadcaster)
John F. Morgan is an American broadcaster and television producer from Saranac Lake, New York.- Athletic career :Before becoming involved in broadcasting, Morgan played rugby union and was a bobsled racer. He came from a family of bobsled racers; his father and brothers were all involved in...
during Speed Channel
SPEED Channel
Speed , is a cable and satellite television network broadcast to various parts of North America, but primarily the United States...
's World Cup bobsleigh coverage on 30 December 2006. Turn one is not listed. Even though luge - men's singles has their starthouse to the right of bobsleigh and skeleton start, the men's singles start in the same location as the bobsleigh and skeleton.
| Turn Number | Name | Reason named |
|---|---|---|
| 2 3 |
Cliffside | Named in honor of the original Cliffside curve because the track was located alongside a cliff Cliff In geography and geology, a cliff is a significant vertical, or near vertical, rock exposure. Cliffs are formed as erosion landforms due to the processes of erosion and weathering that produce them. Cliffs are common on coasts, in mountainous areas, escarpments and along rivers. Cliffs are usually... . |
| 4 | Whiteface | After Whiteface Mountain Whiteface Mountain Whiteface Mountain is the fifth-highest mountain in New York State, and one of the High Peaks of the Adirondack Mountains. Set apart from most of the other High Peaks, the summit offers a 360-degree view featuring the Adirondacks and perhaps on a clear day glimpses of Vermont and even Canada. The... in the Adirondack Mountains Adirondack Mountains The Adirondack Mountains are a mountain range located in the northeastern part of New York, that runs through Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Saint Lawrence, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties.... of New York New York New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east... . Luge - women's singles, men's doubles, and mixed team relay join the track at this curve. |
| 5 6 7 8 9 |
Devil's Highway | Curves (5 through 7), followed by two short, successive curves (8, 9). |
| 10 | Shady II | Named in honor of the Shady corner on the 1932 track. This curve was named because it was in the shadows even when the rest of the track was shining. |
| 11 12 13 |
Labyrinth | Three quick curves in succession. |
| 14 | Benham's bend. | After Stanley Benham Stanley Benham Stanley "Stan" Delong Benham was an American bobsledder who competed from the late 1940s to the early 1960s... (1913–70), who won the gold medal in the four-man event at the 1949 FIBT World Championships FIBT World Championships 1949 The FIBT World Championships 1949 took place in Lake Placid, New York, United States. It marked the first time the championships took place outside of Europe.-Two man bobsleigh:-Four man bobsleigh:... in Lake Placid Lake Placid, New York Lake Placid is a village in the Adirondack Mountains in Essex County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village had a population of 2,638.... . |
| 15 16 |
Chicane Chicane A chicane is an artificial feature creating extra turns in a road, used in motor racing and on city streets to slow cars to lower speeds.- Motor Racing :... |
Two small rolling "curves" in long straightaway before 17. An athlete on the proper line will appear to travel in a straight line between the exit of 14 and entrance of 17 as they travel through the chicane. |
| 17 18 19 |
Heart curve Trickle Dick Trickle Richard "Dick" Trickle is a retired American race car driver. He raced for decades around the short tracks of Wisconsin, winning many championships along the way. Trickle has competed in the ASA, ARTGO, ARCA, All Pro, IMCA, NASCAR, and USAC.In more than an estimated 2,200 races, Trickle has logged... |
Shaped like symbolic symbol of a heart Heart (symbol) The heart has long been used as a symbol to refer to the spiritual, emotional, moral, and in the past, also intellectual core of a human being... . The "Trickle" name was derived from popular Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is... short-track automobile racer and former NASCAR driver Dick Trickle Dick Trickle Richard "Dick" Trickle is a retired American race car driver. He raced for decades around the short tracks of Wisconsin, winning many championships along the way. Trickle has competed in the ASA, ARTGO, ARCA, All Pro, IMCA, NASCAR, and USAC.In more than an estimated 2,200 races, Trickle has logged... , who crashed out on both runs during the 2006 Bodine Bobsled Challenge at turns 17 and 18. The finish line for skeleton is at the exit of 19. |
| 20 | Finish | The end of the track before the finish line. |
| Sport | Record | Nation - athlete(s) | Date | Time (seconds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobsleigh two-woman | Start | - Kaillie Humphries Kaillie Humphries Kaillie Humphries is a Canadian bobsledder. Humphries has competed since 2004 and currently slides with Heather Moyse as her brakeman... & Shelley-Ann Brown Shelley-Ann Brown Shelley-Ann Brown is a Canadian bobsledder who has competed since 2006. She was born in Scarborough, Ontario to Jamaican immigrant parents, and also raised in nearby Pickering, Ontario... |
December 15, 2007 | 5.54 |
| Bobsleigh two-woman | Track | - Sandra Kiriasis Sandra Kiriasis Sandra Kiriasis is a German bobsledder who has competed since 2000.At the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City she won silver in the two-woman event together with teammate Ulrike Holzner... & Romy Logsch Romy Logsch Romy Logsch is a German bobsledder who has competed since 2006. -Career:She won two gold medals in the two-woman event at the FIBT World Championships, earning them in 2007 and 2008... |
December 15, 2007 | 56.94 |
| 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... - |
February 7, 2009 | 1.712 |
| 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... - |
February 7, 2009 | 51.939 |
| Luge - women's singles | Start | 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... - |
February 6, 2009 | 6.350 |
| Luge - women's singles | Track | 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... - |
February 6, 2009 | 43.985 |
| 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.... |
February 6, 2009 | 6.219 |
| Luge - men's doubles | Track | - Gerhard Plankensteiner Gerhard Plankensteiner Gerhard Plankensteiner is an Italian national of Austrian descent luger who competed from 1986 to 2010... & Oswald Haselrieder Oswald Haselrieder Oswald Haselrieder is an Italian national of Austrian descent luger who competed from 1990 to 2010... |
February 6, 2009 | 43.641 |
| Men's skeleton | Track | Eric Bernotas Eric Bernotas Eric Bernotas is an American skeleton racer who has competed since 2002. He won three medals at the FIBT World Championships with two silvers and a bronze .... - |
December 14, 2007 | 54.43 |
| Women's skeleton | Track | Marion Trott Marion Trott Marion Thees is a German skeleton racer who has competed since 2001. She won two golds at the 2009 FIBT World Championships in Lake Placid, New York, earning them in the women's skeleton and mixed team events.In 2009, Trott was second in the European Championships in St. Moritz... - |
February 26, 2009 | 56.23 |
Previous tracks
The only curves mentioned in the 1932 Winter Olympics1932 Winter Olympics
The 1932 Winter Olympics, officially known as the III Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1932 in Lake Placid, New York, United States. The games opened on February 4 and closed on February 15. It would be the first winter olympics held in the United...
official report of the 26 total are shown below:
| Turn Number | Name | Reason named |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Eyrle | - |
| 10 | Whiteface | After Whiteface Mountain Whiteface Mountain Whiteface Mountain is the fifth-highest mountain in New York State, and one of the High Peaks of the Adirondack Mountains. Set apart from most of the other High Peaks, the summit offers a 360-degree view featuring the Adirondacks and perhaps on a clear day glimpses of Vermont and even Canada. The... of the Adirondack Mountains Adirondack Mountains The Adirondack Mountains are a mountain range located in the northeastern part of New York, that runs through Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Saint Lawrence, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties.... of New York New York New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east... . |
| 14 | Cliffside | Because the track was located alongside a cliff Cliff In geography and geology, a cliff is a significant vertical, or near vertical, rock exposure. Cliffs are formed as erosion landforms due to the processes of erosion and weathering that produce them. Cliffs are common on coasts, in mountainous areas, escarpments and along rivers. Cliffs are usually... . |
| 19 | Shady Corner | The corner was in the shadows even when the rest of the track was shining. |
| 23 24 25 |
Zig-Zag | Labyrinth Labyrinth In Greek mythology, the Labyrinth was an elaborate structure designed and built by the legendary artificer Daedalus for King Minos of Crete at Knossos... curve (three quick curves in succession) in the shape of an S S S is the nineteenth letter in the ISO basic Latin alphabet.-History: Semitic Šîn represented a voiceless postalveolar fricative . Greek did not have this sound, so the Greek sigma came to represent... . |
The bobsleigh track used for the 1980 Winter Olympics
1980 Winter Olympics
The 1980 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XIII Olympic Winter Games, was a multi-sport event which was celebrated from 13 February through 24 February 1980 in Lake Placid, New York, United States of America. This was the second time the Upstate New York village hosted the Games, after 1932...
consisted of 16 curves that was 1557 meters long with an elevation difference of 148 meters, a maximum grade of 14.0%, and an average grade of 9.5%.
The luge track used for the 1980 Winter Olympics had two different settings to the different start houses used during the competition. For the men's singles event, the track consisted of 14 curves that was 1014 meters long with an elevation difference of 95.55 meters, a maximum gradient of 30% and an average grade of 9.35%. In the women's singles and men's doubles event, the track consisted of 11 curves that was 749 meters long with an elevation difference of 59 meters, a maximum grade of 30%, and an average grade of 9.35%.
Championships hosted
- Winter Olympics: 19321932 Winter OlympicsThe 1932 Winter Olympics, officially known as the III Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1932 in Lake Placid, New York, United States. The games opened on February 4 and closed on February 15. It would be the first winter olympics held in the United...
, 19801980 Winter OlympicsThe 1980 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XIII Olympic Winter Games, was a multi-sport event which was celebrated from 13 February through 24 February 1980 in Lake Placid, New York, United States of America. This was the second time the Upstate New York village hosted the Games, after 1932... - FIBT World ChampionshipsFIBT World ChampionshipsThe 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...
: 1949FIBT World Championships 1949The FIBT World Championships 1949 took place in Lake Placid, New York, United States. It marked the first time the championships took place outside of Europe.-Two man bobsleigh:-Four man bobsleigh:...
, 1961FIBT World Championships 1961The FIBT World Championships 1961 took place in Lake Placid, New York, United States for the second time after hosting the event previously in 1949.-Two man bobsleigh:Monti won his fifth straight championship in this event, a record that still stands...
, 1969FIBT World Championships 1969The FIBT World Championships 1969 took place in Lake Placid, New York, United States for the third time, hosting the event previously in 1949, and 1961. This also marked the first time both events were able to be competed since 1965.-Two man bobsleigh:...
, 1973FIBT World Championships 1973The FIBT World Championships 1973 took place in Lake Placid, New York, United States for the fourth time, hosting the event previously in 1949, 1961, and 1969.-Two man bobsleigh:-Four man bobsleigh:-Medal table:-References:**...
, 1978FIBT World Championships 1978The FIBT World Championships 1978 took place in Lake Placid, New York, United States for the fifth time, hosting the event previously in 1949, 1961, 1969, and 1973.-Two man bobsleigh:-Four man bobsleigh:-Medal table:-References:**...
, 1983FIBT World Championships 1983The FIBT World Championships 1983 took place in Lake Placid, New York, United States for the sixth time, hosting the event previously in 1949, 1961, 1969, 1973, and 1978.-Two man bobsleigh:-Four man bobsleigh:-Medal table:-References:**...
, 1997FIBT World Championships 1997The FIBT World Championships 1997 took place in St. Moritz, Switzerland and Lake Placid, New York, United States . St. Moritz hosted a championship event for the record eighteenth time...
(men's skeleton), 2003FIBT World Championships 2003The FIBT World Championships 2003 took place in Lake Placid, New York, United States , Winterberg, Germany , and Nagano, Japan . Lake Placid hosted the championship event for the eighth time, doing so previously in 1949, 1961, 1969, 1973, 1978, 1983, and 1997...
(Men's bobsleigh), 2009FIBT World Championships 2009The FIBT World Championships 2009, officially known as the Bauhaus FIBT Bobsleigh & Skeleton World Championships, 20 February to 1 March 2009 at the bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track in Lake Placid, New York for the ninth time, doing so previously in 1949, 1961, 1969, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1997 , and...
, 2012FIBT World Championships 2012The FIBT World Championships 2012 will take place at the bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track in Lake Placid, New York for the tenth time, doing so previously in 1949, 1961, 1969, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1997 , 2003 , and 2009.... - FIL World Luge Championships: 1983FIL World Luge Championships 1983The FIL World Luge Championships 1983 took place in Lake Placid, New York, United States. It marked the first time that the championships took place outside of Europe.-Men's singles:...
, 2009FIL World Luge Championships 2009The 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...
External links
- FIBT track profile - Click on video link for track. Luge - men's singles intersects with the bobsleigh & skeleton part of the track prior to turn one, then where luge - women's singles & men's doubles intersect with bobsleigh-skeleton at turn four.
- Official website