I read that there have been a dozen crashes in training. The track is super-super fast.. guys are managing 90+ mph.
Here’s an article talking about it, dated January 2009:
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Whistler%27s+bobsled%2Fluge+course+is+fast+—+and+scary-a0193431712
Whistler Slider Centre
Track facts
Length (bobsled start): 4,757 feet
Length (skeleton start): 4,576 feet
Length (men’s luge start): 4,507 feet
Length (doubles and women’s luge start): 3,930 feet
Top elevation: 3,077 feet
Low elevation: 2,578 feet
Vertical drop: 499 feet
Maximum track slope: 20 percent (Curve 2)
Curves: 16
I’ve watched luge for years, and when I saw the video, I couldn’t believe how fast he was going, even before the crash I thought how easy it would be to lose control at that speed if he makes the tiniest of mistakes. It’s just way too fast, and don’t get me started on those beams right next to the track.
The IOC might wind up paying big time for this.