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« civilized ku # 63 ~ I Luv NY | Main | civilized ku # 62 ~ fiction? »
Saturday
Nov172007

urban ku # 136 ~ it's back

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Winter delightsclick to embiggen
My two favorite winter pastimes are back. One is winter itself.

The other is luge.

If I could, I would be sliding everyday. As it is, I am limited this winter to sliding every Saturday evening and, as far as I know there will be no competitions. This means that I will not be able to improve upon my back-to-back silver medals from two prior season ending regional competitions. Guess I'll have to be satisfied with the adrenalin rush and shaving a couple thousandths of a second off of my run times every week.

These pictures are from earlier today. Yesterday and today was the FLI World Cup Luge season opener - the top luge sliders in the world, men, women and doubles, compete in this World Cup event. Only the top luge sliders in the world are in this event.

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Coasting to a stop • click to embiggen
The winner of the men's event, Italy's Armin Zoggeler, is pictured (on the left) coasting to a stop on the uphill straight after crossing the finish line. It takes quite a stretch for gravity to slow these guys down from speeds of up to 85 mph. Zoggeler set a new track record while recording his 37th WC victory.

Hugo was fascinated by the whole deal. He's ready to start "when I get a little bigger" and he set a goal of 'going fast like a motorcycle". That will be no problem at all.

Reader Comments (2)

I know it is slower, but some how the skeleton seems even more insane than this already crazy pastime.

I am reminded of winters spent sliding down a hillside inside a garbage bag though. Could never decide if I preferred that or a tea tray.

November 19, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterGordon McGregor

I also prefer skeleton (although it aien't slower)... I've tried both, and I do enjoy actually lying down facing forward and seeing where I am going as opposed to on my back like a turtle staring straight up to the sky. Gravitas does not agree with me though. He didn't like the skeleton as much.

November 19, 2007 | Unregistered Commenteraaron

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