FIL gives explanation on Georgian slider fatal accident

FIL gives explanation on Georgian slider fatal accident

WHISTLER, Canada, Feb. 13 -- The International Luge Federation (FIL) has given a press conference Saturday in Whistler, explaining the fatal accident of a Georgian slider occurred Friday.

Georgian luge hopeful Nodar Kumaritashvili crashes during the men's Luge practise at the Whistler Sliding Centre, in preparation for the Vancouver Winter Olympics on February 12, 2010.


"As for the accident our technical officials studied the tape then walked the track and retraced the event. Based on this they were able to render their opinion as to what happened，" said FIL secretary general Svein Romstad.

"The run of Nodar (Kumaritashvill) appeared to be routine until curve 15. At that time he came out late of the exit of the curve. This resulted in a late entrance into curve 16, the finish curve. Although he attempted to correct the situation, he shot up into the roof of curve 16，" he explained.

Svein Romstadt, the Secretary General of the International Luge Federation (FIL) gestures during a press conference on the the death of Georgian athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili, in Whislter, Canada, Feb. 13, 2010. Kumaritashvili was fatally injured during the final luge training session for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in the last corner of the track at the Whistler Sliding Centre on February 12, 2010.

"The angle in which he did so resulted in him experiencing a G-force that collapsed his body rendering it difficult to control the sled, which in this case he was not able to do. Once this happened he was literally at the mercy of the sled. At the exit of curve 16 he hit the wall. This resulted in Nodar being catapulted onto the top of the wall resulting in the fatal crash，" added the FIL official.

In an official training session on Friday, Kumaritashvill, a 21-year-old luger, lost control of his sled, went over a wall, and slammed into a metal support beam. Observers said his sled was travelling at a speed of about 150 kmph.

After his death, the FIL decided to lower and shorten the track for all races.
(AFP)