What happens if a luge athlete crashes?
I · Intermediate · The race · 1 of 2The run ends when the athlete or sled breaks the finish beam, the athlete touching the sled. A crash alone is not a disqualification. An athlete who crashes near the end must reach the finish in contact with the sled; pushing, paddling or walking it over the line brings a disqualification. A crash that stops the run is a DNF.
How it works
- Finish: the athlete or the sled breaks the beam; the athlete must touch the sled.
- Doubles: both athletes must reach the finish in contact with the sled.
- Crash: not grounds for disqualification on its own.
- Near the finish: after the FIL line, reach the finish in contact with the sled.
- Not allowed: pushing, paddling or walking with the sled to the beam.
- No finish: a DNF in the results.
- Lost items: may bring a disqualification if meant to hinder later athletes; visors are excepted.
- Fitness: the race director may send an athlete to the race doctor.
The glossary has the crash rules, the finish, the line, the DNF, the DSQ and the doubles.
Tricky cases
An athlete falls off, holds the sled and slides over the line. Ranked?
Yes, if they cross the beam in contact with the sled and did not push, paddle or walk it there.
One doubles athlete is thrown off before the finish. What happens?
Both must reach the finish in contact with the sled, so the pair is not ranked for that run.
An athlete drops a glove on the track. Disqualified?
Only if the intention to disadvantage later athletes is clear.
Who decides if an injured athlete may race?
The race director may refer them to the race doctor, and can withdraw their start if the doctor confirms the risk in writing.
Why the rule exists
Contact with the sled stops athletes being thrown clear and still taking a time. Banning pushing or walking stops a crashed athlete from rescuing a result the run did not earn.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Normal finish | Athlete or sled breaks the beam, in contact | IRO §10 2.1 |
| Crash before the finish | Push, paddle or walk means DSQ | IRO §10 3.2 |
| Medical | Race director may refer to the doctor | IRO §4 1.1.5 |
From the rule book
FIL, International Luge Regulations (IRO), artificial track (2026 edition), §3 point 6.1.1, §4 point 1.1.5 and §10 points 2 and 3. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the FIL International Luge Regulations, issued each season.