Luge News

NASEBY, New Zealand (August 29, 2009) – Serious work is underway on Naseby’s ice luge to ensure it is in perfect condition for Sunday’s demonstration at 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games.

Luge coach, Canadian representative player, Greg Jones said the uncharacteristically warm winter and the arrival of spring-like weather three weeks early meant the ice has been melting during the week.

“I just happen to know a lot about making tracks, so now I’m a track technician as well,” he said.

The luge relies on freezing weather to create a good surface, which is supported by cooling glycol pipes. There is a snow making machine, but the day- and night-time temperatures have been too warm for it to work, so a contingency was put into action.

“We found some more snow 45 minutes away,” said Greg Jones.

Volunteers made trips up into the mountains behind Naseby in a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a trailer and brought back snow, which they shovelled onto the track. A digger has also been transporting what snow was left, from the nearby outdoor ice-rink’s snow pit, which stores the scrapings from the rink, to the final end of the luge.

Saturday’s luge competition for the Naseby Cup 3, will act as a practice run for the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games luge demonstration on Sunday. A top-up of snow will be applied afterwards to ensure the luge is in ideal condition.

“We’ll have a full track,” said Greg Jones

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For further media information, contact:

Victoria Murray-Orr, Media Manager, WGNZ | E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | T: +64 3 443 2700