Overview

In the event which Diana Ogle first debuted for Australia at Albertville 1992, Luge will make its 16th Winter Olympic Games appearance at Beijing 2022. Alex Ferlazzo is Australia’s lone Luge representative in Beijing, with the Townsville local making history as the first Australian to compete at three Games in Luge.

Lugers start in a seated position, launching themselves forward from the starting handles and paddling the ice with their spiked gloves to build speed. They then lie down and proceed to steer their sled using six different steering points from their shoulders, handles and their legs whilst trying to keep an aerodynamic sliding position.

The luge program takes place from Saturday 5th February to Thursday 10th February. All Australian eyes will be on the men’s singles where Alex is in action on Saturday 5th February and Sunday 6th February.

What’s the story?

• Townsville’s Alex Ferlazzo makes history as the first Australian luge athlete to compete at three Olympics.
• Beijing 2022 will host the men’s and women’s singles, doubles and team relay; with Australia competing in the men’s singles.
• The length of the track is 1.6 kilometers long and includes the first ever 360-degree turn referred to as a Kreisel.

Ones to watch

The Aussies

Alex Ferlazzo is looking to build on his stellar record, already holding Australia’s highest ever Olympic finish in the sport with his 28th place at PyeongChang 2018. An alumnus of the Australian Team at the Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth Olympics, Alex had a decorated junior career which saw him make history as the first Australian to win a Junior World Cup in 2014.

The competition

Felix Loch (GER), a triple-Olympic gold medallist and six-time World Champion in the men’s singles, will be the heavy favourite in Beijing. He was only a single mistake away from making history as a three-time men’s singles gold medallist in PyeongChang. He will be out to seek redemption in Beijing and earn back the Olympic title.

Natalie Geisenberger (GER) is already the world’s most decorated and successful female luger, and she will look to create further history in Beijing. With four Olympic gold medals and nine world titles already in her possession, Geisenberger could become the first athlete in Luge history to win three consecutive gold medals in the women’s competition.

David Gleirscher (AUT), the shock Olympic Champion from PyeongChang will be back in Beijing to prove his performance from four years prior was no fluke. Gleirscher has continued a run of success and will take his World Championships bronze medal form in 2021 to the Games.

Johannes Ludwig (GER) has been dominating the men’s luge World Cup field this season and won the Olympic test event at Yanquing in 2021. He was a bronze medallist at PyeongChang 2018.

Competition format

Beijing 2022 will host the men’s and women’s singles, doubles and team relay at the Yanqing Sliding Centre.

The singles event consists of four timed runs held over two days. Results are calculated by adding all the timed runs together, with the fastest combined time winning.