PyeongChang 2018 Sliding Venue Needs Fine-tuning

(ATR) Winter Olympic organizers have postponed an initial test at the Alpensia Sliding Center because venue staff were unable to produce sufficient ice on the upper part of the track.

The course certification process at the Alpensia Sliding Center is delayed until the autumn.

According to a joint statement issued by PyeongChang 2018, the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) and the International Luge Federation (FIL), the refrigeration plant at the future Olympic venue is currently unable to operate at maximum capacity.

Mild weather conditions added to the difficulties, preventing venue staff from maintaining the ice. As a result, pre-homologation was postponed indefinitely.

Pre-homologation is part of the inspection process, which is undertaken before homologation, the official approval process required for the track to become certified by the governing sport federations.

U.S. luger Chris Mazdzer was one of 16 athletes selected from different nations who traveled to PyeongChang to test sliding conditions and assist with the course certification process.

"They’ve been working desperately to fix the issues, but unfortunately they weren’t able to," said Mazdzer of the current visit.

"We made two runs from the youth start and that was completely fine and the track felt good, but they couldn’t put ice above that."

"It is a little frustrating to come all the way and you only have three runs from the bottom of the track," said the U.S. luger. "It’s a lot of time spent traveling just for three runs."

It now appears that the homologation will be moved to the autumn, which will involve once again bringing in a large contingent of athletes and staff.

Unseasonably warm weather in Gangwon Province contributed to the problems at the bobsleigh and luge track, which was constructed by Korea’s Daelim Industrial Company.

"Initially, when we got here and in the weeks before it was really cold, in the single digits (Fahrenheit) at night," Mazdzer said. "At one point the track was iced. Then it warmed up and they found out the refrigeration wasn’t working as planned, and that’s when it kind of fell apart.

"Now, instead of sliding, we’re on some tours of temples and mountains of Gangwon Province."

Mazdzer and the international luge contingent are scheduled to depart PyeongChang on March 9. Sliding from higher up on the track does not appear feasible.

"They have a lot of people working on the issue, but we’re running out of time," said the U.S. luger and 2014 Olympian about his first visit to the PyeongChang venue.

"We’ve only gone down from the entrance of curve eight, so there’s a lot of track to learn."

Gordy Sheer, USA Luge marketing director and three-time Olympic luger, said there is not yet cause for alarm, noting that the Albertville 1992 test event took place during the Olympic season.

"At this point there isn’t any need to be concerned," Sheer said. "I think there is enough time to get the construction right and possibly even do something in the Fall."

"People aren’t really receptive to that idea because you have to bring everyone here and next season everyone is focused on the World Cup," Mazdzer said of the possible autumn homologation. "Others have speculated that if they can get their act together, maybe we would come back in two to three weeks.

"The sooner we can do it the better."

It remains to be determined when FIL and IBSF will agree with PyeongChang 2018 to take the next steps in the homologation process.

Their joint statement concluded: "Based on what we have experienced through this pre-homologation we will endeavor to eliminate deficiencies for the continuation of the homologation process in October 2016.

"We will develop a timetable to implement any and all required."

Both luge and bobsleigh/skeleton World Cup test events at the Alpensia Sliding Center are scheduled for February 2017.

Reported by Brian Pinelli

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