Lugers say modified Whistler track is too slow

For as sad and as tragic as this was you have to remember that this young sledder was the Eddy the Eagle of Luging with only 5 races under his belt. They raised these knee walls after the fact and that should have been all the modification that was necessary. It’s to bad a death was needed to point that out but don’t change the starting point.

In 88 everyone was worried that Ed was going to kill himself, but they didn’t move the starting point on the jump so the competitors like himself would be safe.

Where's Goldilocks when you need her.

They're now starting where the women do - why do women need a slower track than men?

Because women don't have the pysical strength or stamina of men. Comparing a 5'6", 145 lb. women to a man of the same height & weight, the man is physically stronger. It's in the genes.
With women competing against women, & men compeeting against men, they are both compeeting under the exact same conditions. Starting points are a moot issue!

Because women don't have the pysical strength or stamina of men. Comparing a 5'6", 145 lb. women to a man of the same height & weight, the man is physically stronger. It's in the genes.
With women competing against women, & men compeeting against men, they are both compeeting under the exact same conditions. Starting points are a moot issue!

Goes to show that I don't know much about luge. I didn't know strength was an issue, I thought you more or less point the thing downhill and hang on. Steering is done by leaning, I thought women could do that as well as men.

So do they take strength measurements before allowing people to compete? I mean there might be the abnormally strong woman out there who could give the men a run for their money, or men who are better off competing against the women. Why does it come down to whether you have an innie or outie?

It comes down to the 'general physical abilities' of either sex.
As it happens, the mechanics and finer points of luging were explained to me on Friday. Body weight is an important factor in controling a sled in that the rider moves their wieght around to help control, but steering is done via levers which are on the front of the sled which the rider 'pulls against' with the tops of their feet.

If, 'who competes against who' was based soley on size and weight, the male would win virtually every time. Not unlike my work, which is very physical. I am only 5'6"-125 lb. on a good day! Over the years, several women have applied to work in my industry, floor covering. Education aside, we go into the warehouse, I point to a roll of carpet, or linoleum, or pallet of ceramic tile, point to a set of stairs, and tell them " we will carry this up those stairs. You pick up one end, I will take the other. Rare is it that one can do it. Those that could, were much bigger than me, but didn't have the stamina to stay at the job for very long. Personally, after 34 years in the business, I do not know one female Journeyman Floorcovering Mechanic.

Sure, but if your company said in an ad "only men need apply" they'd be sued for discrimination. Should be the same in top level sport - let everybody try out, let the best, regardless of gender compete.

Not 'unlike the business world', the sports federations, through years of testing I'm sure, came to the realization that 'by and large' women are not as strong as men, but should also compete against each other under eagual circumstances. That's certainly fair!
Now, if women want to compete against men, the same cicumstances should apply equally to both. They should then just be treated as 'may the best competitor win'.

Trivia: The Womans Start has a Fridge, Stove, fuzzy slippers, and a Birthing Room on Standby.

It's a Fact.