Luge plans on track

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 504, 21 September 1993, Page 8 (Supplement)

Luge plans on track

New Zealand sporting history was made this week at the Whakapapa ski area when the New Zealand luge team members Angela and Grant Paul made a series of runs on the Happy Valley ice track, the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere. The track has been constructed and tested over the past seven weeks in an experiment to determine the suitability of the Happy Valley location. Testing on skeleton sleds, where sliders negotiate the track in a head-first prone position, began three weeks ago. This proved successful with both experienced and novice sliders completing descents. Bruce Sandford, the

1992 Skeleton World Champion, has initiated the project with the intention of expanding the 400m tract to 800m for next season and encouraging the public to try the sport. Further development would then focus on creating a facility suitable for international training and, ultimately, international competition. As the only track for skeleton, luge and bobsleigh in the Southern Hemisphere, it is hoped the Whakapapa venue will develop into a training base for other nations during the northern summer. Public interest in the project has been strong and the area operators, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts,

have been supportive and ing this year's pilot proinstrumental in facilitat- iect.