Bob, skeleton say no safety concerns after luge tragedy (News Feature)

By David Hein Feb 16, 2010, 18:12 GMT

Whistler, Canada - Bobsleigh and skeleton competition is set to start at the Vancouver Olympics using the same Whistler Sliding Centre Track which has been at the centre of controversy following the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili.

But officials have dismissed any concerns that the track could be unsafe and point out that the sliding sports are entirely different.

The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (FIBT) has given the Whistler track, which luge officials modified after Kumaritasvili's death on Friday, the thumbs up

'The track commission of the FIBT and the medical advisors have done a thorough, thorough review of this facility. We feel it's safe,' said Don Krone, the FIBT's communications office director.

'The analysis that's been done - we've spent an inordinate amount of time here to make sure that people can safely train and compete here.'

Krone's comments come ahead of the skeleton races on Thursday and Friday and the bobsleigh start on Saturday.

The International Luge Federation (FIL) reacted to the Kumaritashvili incident by lowering the men's start to the women's take-off point and sending off the women and doubles sliders from juniors starting point.

Krone, however, says that luge and his two sports are entirely different.

'The problem is that it's a totally different sport and different equipment. Frankly, luge has nothing to do with bobsleigh and skeleton. Our sports are dramatically different,' the American official said.

'One of the main differences is that in bobsledding there are brakes on the sled. In an absolute dire situation, someone can brake. There's always a way to try and stop the sled.

'In skeleton, they have no brakes, but they use their feet sometimes to drag or to correct by touching.'

Summing it up, Krone said: '(The three sports) happen at the same facility, but they are totally different.'

Darrin Steele, the CEO of the US Bobsled and Skeleton Federation agreed with Krone.

'There are similar challenges with the track, but it is a different sport. Luge has a higher centre of gravity and a skeleton athlete, if he sees that he is going to lose control, he can just drag his feet,' said Steele.

Krone also said that FIBT does not have any psychological or emotional concerns for the skeleton or bobsleigh athletes following Kumaritasvhili's death.

'It will have to reviewed as we communicate with the team captains. At this point, we don't see any need for anything other than just reminding people about the need to analyse their own competitive abilities,' he said.

Bobsleigh athlete Bree Schaaf of the US is looking forward to racing down the track, saying: 'It forces you to sharpen your skills on this track, which is what makes this fun. It's the fastest track in the world. It's really technical. There is no room for error. It's going to make for a great Games.'

And Australian skeleton slider Melissa Hoar admitted she was nervous after Monday's test run.

'Because of all the hype surrounding it (the track). It is the fastest track in the world. It has the highest G-forces and it is really technical so I just had to make sure I've got it all right.'

David Baranowski also said he believes the course - also for the lugers - is safe for competition as designed.

The engineer from Salt Lake City, Baranowski was part of the core team that built the centre and knew the track was difficult and fast. But he is convinced the track was not unsafe and that all proper safety measures were in place.

'It's human error,' he told the Globe and Mail daily. 'It's an extraordinary accident.'

Russian Olympic officials have said in Vancouver that Kumaritashvili's death would definitely factor into how the Sochi course for the 2014 Games gets built.

'We will certainly double-check the project and have a look at all the calculations following this incident,' said Alexandra Kosterina, communications director for the state construction corporation, Olympstroy, which is responsible for delivering the venues and infrastructure for the 2014 Winter Games.