What happens to a luge race in bad weather?
A · Advanced · The sled and officials · 1 of 2The ice must be kept at -3°C or colder, constant through a run. If wind over 35 km/h is measured, the TD and race director decide how to go on. In snow, the track is swept at set intervals. Two independent timing systems run together, and athletes hit by a timing fault rerun within 30 minutes.
How it works
- Ice: constant, at -3°C or colder in the shade; the reading is shown at the start.
- Wind: above 35 km/h, the TD and race director decide on training and racing.
- Cold: races may go ahead down to -25°C.
- Snow: sweeping interval and time set during the forerunners; in the last run, intervals start with the best rank.
- Forerunners: 1 to 3 per run at the Olympics, World Championships and World Cups.
- Timing: a start time, four intermediate times and the finish, to a thousandth.
- Backup: A and B systems; the B times take over if A fails.
- Timing fault: affected athletes rerun within 30 minutes of the fix.
The glossary has the wind limit, the track sweeping, the track, the timing, the intermediate time and the run.
Tricky cases
Is there a fixed wind speed that stops the race?
No. Above 35 km/h, the TD and race director decide what to do.
Can the organisers change the ice during a race?
No. Only damaged spots may be repaired, and a deliberate change of track conditions is forbidden.
The clock fails for one athlete. What happens?
They rerun within 30 minutes of the problem being fixed.
Can the race be shortened?
Yes. The jury can shorten the course in special circumstances.
Why the rule exists
Weather can change the ice between sleds, so the rules aim to keep conditions the same for all. A backup timing system means a fault does not cost an athlete their run.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ice temperature | -3°C or colder | IRO §4 1.4.3 |
| Wind | Review above 35 km/h | IRO §10 3.4 |
| Bad weather | Start interval cut to no less than 1 minute 30 | IRO §10 1.4 |
From the rule book
FIL, International Luge Regulations (IRO), artificial track (2026 edition), §4 point 1.4 and §10 points 1.1, 1.4, 3.4 to 3.11 and 4. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the FIL International Luge Regulations, issued each season.