The Whistler Sliding Centre homologation process complete
World’s 15th sliding centre praised by international federation technical officials
March 10, 2008
VANOC News Release
Whistler, BC – The homologation process for The Whistler Sliding Centre concluded over the weekend, achieving another milestone in the timeline to ensure the venue for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton competitions is complete for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
The four days of testing and evaluation by the International Bobsleigh and Tobogganing Federation (FIBT), the International Luge Federation (FIL) and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) will allow the venue operators to move ahead with the next phase of planning to have the facility fully operational in the coming months.
“From design, to construction and through start-up, we knew we were building a very special sliding track. This track was designed and built to be a world-unique sliding sport venue and this week’s runs, along with the feedback from the athletes, coaches and the technical officials from international sport federations, have proven that we are well on our way to reaching this goal,” said Craig Lehto, VANOC’s director, The Whistler Sliding Centre. “The homologation process is a major milestone towards hosting spectacular sliding competitions during the Games in 2010.”
Over the duration of the homologation, more than 200 runs were taken at The Whistler Sliding Centre. Athletes from seven countries (Austria, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Russia and the USA) representing the three sliding disciplines completed runs from six different start positions on the track. Working from the bottom to the top, a detailed evaluation was completed to ensure the 1,450 metre track is safe for all athlete ability levels.
“This is a great track that will challenge all the skills of the modern sliding athletes. It is fast, technical, demanding and interesting,” said Bob Storey, President, FIBT. “The Whistler Sliding Centre is an example for the new tracks of the future as well as a great sporting legacy.”
“There are lots of technical tracks around the world, but this one is so unique because of the speed — that is what makes it so challenging,” said Walter Plaikner, technical delegate, FIL Track Commission. “The homologation went very well and there is almost nothing to change. This is because of the great work by the construction crew, the ice crew who had the ice in great condition and the entire team of people here in Canada which have done such a great job and made the homologation a success.”
With the homologation process complete, VANOC will now review the recommendations made by the FIBT and FIL that will determine the remaining work required to fine-tune the track in preparation for international competition. The Whistler Sliding Centre will host Canadian national teams for training and testing through to March 20.
BACKGROUND – The Whistler Sliding Centre
Located on Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler, The Whistler Sliding Centre is the venue for the bobsleigh, luge and skeleton competitions during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, and is one of only 15 sliding tracks in the world. The Whistler Sliding Centre consists of a 1,450-metre competition-length concrete sliding track through 16 corners, refrigeration facilities, support buildings and access road. This new sliding track is integrated into Whistler’s long-term resort development plan. Post-Games, The Whistler Sliding Centre will be operated under the direction of the Whistler Legacy Society, supported by an endowment trust established by the federal and provincial governments.
At this time, the facility’s technical and operational infrastructures are in the final stages of development. Until the track is officially open, VANOC is operating the facility with limited services and systems, and access to the venue will remain limited to those expressly invited to participate in activities at the venue.