OLYMPIC ACCIDENT

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 10:41 pm

How is it not a viable solution? The corners and the area immediately after them is where lugers are in the most danger. Therefore a tunnel over those areas will at least confine their crash TO the track where, while they may not walk away without a scratch, they at least have a chance at living...

Post by **racer12306** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:58 am

You would be amazed at what the human body can withstand. There are people who fall off of Pro Stock Motorcycles (190mph+ through the traps) at the top end and as long as they don't hit the wall they get up and walk it off.

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 10:17 am

Those guys have suits built to withstand stuff like that too. Point is tho, if the dude would have stayed on the track he had a valid shot at life. A few bruises or even a busted arm perhaps... But I'll take that over death any day.

Haganracing · Post by **Haganracing** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 10:25 am

racer12306 wrote:You would be amazed at what the human body can withstand. There are people who fall off of Pro Stock Motorcycles (190mph+ through the traps) at the top end and as long as they don't hit the wall they get up and walk it off.

It is amazing on how much the human body can take, like people who survive skydiving accidents.. crazy!

Post by **racer12306** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:19 am

TheRandom1 wrote:Those guys have suits built to withstand stuff like that too. Point is tho, if the dude would have stayed on the track he had a valid shot at life. A few bruises or even a busted arm perhaps... But I'll take that over death any day.

Their suits are nothing more than lightly padded leathers.

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:20 am

Leather is much stronger than nylon/spandex, no?

Post by **racer12306** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:25 am

True, but asphalt is more abrasive than ice, no?

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:28 am

It can be. Not always, however.

Post by **racer12306** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:31 am

Very true, but I'm sure an Olympic level luge course is perfectly smooth.

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:40 am

One would assume. Then again, before Friday, people assumed it would be very difficult for an Olympian to kill himself on a luge course... Besides, did you see how many modifications they made to the track? cleaning up rough ice, etc?

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 12:34 pm

It has now come out that he told his father he was afraid of the course, and the turn in particular. With that fear, it was prolly what caused him to lose control. That, and not being allowed to practice beforehand, to get the feel of the course.

Perhaps if they were allowed to start lower, like they now have changed the starting line, this would have been avoided. If he took that course with confidence, he would have breezed through, like everyone else.
This was the wrong time to face his fears. In the end it comes down to making the choice to risk it all, or walk away. Nevermind the pressure of letting your country down...

“He called me before the Olympics, three days ago, and he said, ‘Dad, I’m scared of one of the turns.’

“I said, ‘Put your legs down on the ice to slow down,’ but he said if he started the course he would finish it. … He was brave.”

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:27 pm

I was watching the luge comp this pass weekend. The Germans killed it. 1st and 2nd place. Winner was only 20, youngest ever to get gold in the luge event.

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:29 pm

MyNeonSaysHi wrote:The Germans killed it.

Perhaps not the best terminology under the circumstances...

lilnicko11 · Post by **lilnicko11** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:29 pm

this was horrible to hear about and while watching the opening ceremony it was good to see the ovation for that country

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:57 pm

TheRandom1 wrote:
MyNeonSaysHi wrote:The Germans killed it.
Perhaps not the best terminology under the circumstances...

I didn't mean it that way.

Killed it as in killed the course.

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 9:05 am

I know how you meant it, I just think you could have worded it more tactfully. Not a rip, just an observation.