Canadian bobsleigh hero takes first test runs at The Whistler Sliding Centre

Vancouver, BC – Pierre Lueders, four-time Olympian and the most decorated slider in Canadian history, and brakeman Justin Kripps participated in the christening of The Whistler Sliding Centre track on the afternoon of December 19, 2007, making some of the first runs at the new venue.

“What a rush . . . and what a privilege to be the first ones down the newest Canadian sliding track,” said Lueders. “I’ve driven every track in the world and each one has its own personality. The Whistler track was challenging and will unquestionably test the skills of the world’s best sliding athletes.” Lueders and Kripps, who is new to Lueders’ crew this year, have their sights set on gold for the 2010 Games.

Early test runs on the track are designed to test the newly formed track ice as well as the support facilities. VANOC decided to test 10 curves of the winding track beginning at a lower start located one third down from the top of the track. The test runs on Wednesday started with a walk down the track to inspect and become familiarized with the ice quality, lighting, visibility, speed and best line, accompanied by Terry Gudzowsky, technical delegate from the International Bobsleigh Federation (FIBT). 

Following inspection, Lueders and Kripps began a series of six runs from the lower start, which is approximately 520 metres down the 1450 metre lit competition track, with track workers cheering them on. The first test run included a short push start, a clean run and a small jump during the slide leading into the deceleration zone due to an ice ridge, which was subsequently shaved down for the remaining runs. The six runs on the 10 winding curves tested were completed over the course of two hours. 

 “The first test run down a new sliding track is a big moment – and who better to take it than Pierre, one of the world’s premier bobsleigh drivers and Justin, his brakeman from Summerland, B.C., who began his competition career just two years ago,” said Craig Lehto, VANOC’s director of The Whistler Sliding Centre. “We’re pleased with the way the track performed in these first test runs and made a few adjustments and observations that simply can’t happen until a sled actually takes to the ice. The next step will be to test skeleton and luge sleds as well. This is just the beginning of tuning up The Whistler Sliding Centre for future competitions.”

"Throughout the planning, design and construction processes, everything has gone according to plan,” said Terry Gudzowsky, technical delegate for the FIBT. “Indications from the initial descents confirm our expectations that The Whistler Sliding Centre will quickly become one of the finest venues for sliding sports. We are excited about the prospect of having our international bobsleigh and skeleton athletes experience the challenges that this track will offer." 

Robert H. Storey, president of the FIBT commented, “The FIBT looks forward to the official homologation (sanctioning) of the facility and all indicators point to The Whistler Sliding Centre becoming one of the more challenging tracks in the world.”

Track testing at The Whistler Sliding Centre has now finished for the year and will resume in late January 2008. The FIBT and the International Luge Federation (FIL) are expected to officially homologate the track in the spring. The first international competition will be the FIBT World Cup in February 2009. VANOC announced the end of construction of The Whistler Sliding Centre in mid-December, however the venue remains under final development and is closed to the public.

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