Head-first ice track

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 500, 24 August 1993, Page 9

Head-first ice track

An ice track for the sports of skeleton (headfirst prone) and luge (feet-first reclining) is nearing completion at Whakapapa Ski Area. Skeleton and luge are both forms of tobogganing. Participants pilot a small sled on an ice track, negotiating a series of curves during their descents. Skeleton was an Olympic discipline until 1948 and is likely to be re-introduced in 1998. Luge has been Olympic since 1964. Both sports have extensive World Cup circuits during the northern winter, with over 25 nations represented on each. Situated in the lower part of Happy Valley, the 'natural' track is constructed entirely from available snow which is first shaped and then sprayed with water to create ice. The result is some 400m long with 10 banked corners and a gradicnt that will see

speeds in the rcgion of 90kph. The initiative is bcing taken by former Olympic bob-slcdder and 1992 World Skeleton Champion, Bruce Sandford. The goal foi this year is to demonstrate that such a construction is feasible and to gauge public reaction to the activity. If successful, 1994 will see a larger and more complete facility and a much longer operating season.

To our knowledge, this will be the first Kunsteisbahn (ice track with banked corners) to be built in the southern hemisphere. Re-built annually, it will cater to adventure seekers, rccrealional sports people and competitive alhletes. Its operational window - from June through October - will make it the only track in the world open during the northern summer, and thus, a potential training centre for intemational teams.