26
Myroslav Lenko and Ivan Lenko (both UKR, Ukraine) training at the natural course in Mariazell for the Luge World Cup (2022)
(upload.wikimedia.org)
Luge is a winter sport that involves a one- or two-person sled, also known as a luge, on which athletes sled supine (face-up) and feet-first. Lugers control the movement of the sled by shifting their weight or applying pressure with their calf muscles and shoulders, and can reach speeds of more than 140 km/h (87 mph; 39 m/s). The sport is organised by the International Luge Federation and has been part of the Winter Olympic programme since 1964. This photograph shows the Ukrainian brothers Myroslav and Ivan Lenko training in 2022 in Mariazell, Austria, for the Luge World Cup.
Credit: Steffen Prößdorf
What's with the spikes on their heels? Doesn't everyone sprint on thier toes? Like when they are doing the running start.... Or are they just for walking around in between races?
Luge isn't like bobsled where they do a running push start and then jump in. Luge starts seated on the sled and they throw themselves onto the course with some handles on poles embedded in the ground at the start point (its sort of a rowing motion). The spikes are probably to use as breaking.