ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – There are two recognized forms of luge, one called Artificial Track, which is featured in the Olympics, and the other is Natural Track. And for 40 years, the only natural track luge facility in North America has been located here atop Lucy Hill in Negaunee. Natural track differs from Olympic or Artificial Luge in several ways, from the equipment to the track to how the athletes steer. Luge Insiders admit that natural track isn’t easy.
“We’ve had many artificial lugers come to the natural track and say, I’ll get on the sled and go from the top. ‘ No, you won’t,” said United States Luge Team Head Coach, Keith Whitman.
Because Artificial Track is too expensive, and Natural Track may be too dangerous. The International Olympic Committee came up with a plan to merge the two and call it Alpine luge, which would someday give athletes who train here in Negaunee a fast track to Olympic glory.
“The merging of the two, taking part of the sled, part of the track, taking all of those characteristics of those sports and merging them together,” said Whitman.
So, who fares better when the two disciplines merge
“The best people making the future Olympics will be our people, from our people, but people from the Upper Peninsula,” said Whitman.
Although no official timeline has been established, Coach Whitman believes Alpine luge could be the Olympic standard when the Winter Games Return to the US in 2034. Stay tuned.
