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Win Some, Luge Some Trivia Quiz

This is a general quiz about the sport of luge. Slide your way down 10 questions about this icy and thrilling winter sport.

A multiple-choice quiz by slapchop. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
slapchop

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
324,288

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
206

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What term is most commonly used to describe the person participating in luge? Hint

driver

slider

rider

lugeton

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Question 2 of 10

2. People in luge achieve tremendous speeds, partly due to having very little friction between their sled and the ice. What are the only parts of the sled that touch the ice surface? Hint

bridges

skates

bows

steels

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Question 3 of 10

3. What part of the sled does the slider actually lay upon? Hint

the flat

the seat

the pod

the hull

4. The luge sled is not simply hurtling down ice, out of control. The slider has a few ways he can control the sled's course on the track. Which of these is not a method used by sliders to steer their sled? Hint

leg pressure against the right runner bow

leg pressure against the left runner bow

pulling on the pod handles

shifting weight at the shoulders

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Question 5 of 10

5. The slider dons some special pieces of equipment that make a few things easier on the track. What special purpose do the slider's "booties" serve? Hint

traction (small spiked soles)

speed (aerodynamic foot shape)

stopping (sticky rubber soles)

steering (rubber to grip the bows)

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Question 6 of 10

6. The majority of each sled is made of steel and fiberglass. However, the sled contains another very important material which helps it to turn. What is it? Hint

petroleum jelly

wood

rubber

glass

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Question 7 of 10

7. When a slider gets too far out of his intended sliding line, they may try to correct their course by pushing very hard on one of the bows. What is this technique commonly called? Hint

jam

crank

veer

slip

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which of the following is considered legal under Olympic luge rules? Hint

receiving assistance while in a run

heating the metal parts of the sled

running across the finish while carrying the sled

using mechanical brakes

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Under Olympic rules, what is a 195-pound male slider allowed to do that a 205-pound slider isn't? Hint

wear a weight vest

wear spikes on their fingertips

exceed 80 miles per hour

get back on their sled after a mid-run crash

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Where did the fine sport of luge originate? Hint

Hammarstrand, Sweden

Dresden, Germany

St. Moritz, Switzerland

Berchtesgaden, Germany

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What term is most commonly used to describe the person participating in luge?

Answer: slider

"Slider" is the most common, but "luger" is occasionally heard.

2. People in luge achieve tremendous speeds, partly due to having very little friction between their sled and the ice. What are the only parts of the sled that touch the ice surface?

Answer: steels

The steels under the sled are made from sharpened steel. The "bows" are the curved front parts of the runners. The "bridges" connect the runners to the rest of the sled. "Blades" and "skates" are more proper terms for ice hockey and figure skates.

3. What part of the sled does the slider actually lay upon?

Answer: the pod

The pod is about 22 inches wide, and fits roughly between the slider's shoulders and knees. Pods are typically made of fiberglass. The pod connects on its underside to two steel bridges, which then connect to the runners.

Answer: pulling on the pod handles

The runner bows are the curved front portions of the bows. The slider presses a leg against one of the bows in order to turn the sled. Upper body and shoulder weight shifts can also help to turn the sled. The pod handles are purely for the slider to grip the pod.

5. The slider dons some special pieces of equipment that make a few things easier on the track. What special purpose do the slider's "booties" serve?

Answer: speed (aerodynamic foot shape)

The booties zip up in such a way as to extend the foot (pointed toes). This reduces drag on the slider that a flexed foot would otherwise cause. The soles of the booties are rather smooth.

6. The majority of each sled is made of steel and fiberglass. However, the sled contains another very important material which helps it to turn. What is it?

Answer: rubber

The "gummy" is a rubber insert that rests on the end of each bridge leg. These rubber pieces allow the pressure exerted on each bow to actually steer the sled. Without them, the slider would have to push quite hard on the bows to move them at all.

7. When a slider gets too far out of his intended sliding line, they may try to correct their course by pushing very hard on one of the bows. What is this technique commonly called?

Answer: crank

When a slider cranks, they are pushing quite hard on one of the bows, hoping to turn the sled quicker and get back on course. Ultimately, too much cranking will slow down a slider's run, as the excess friction of turning more sharply could have been avoided.

8. Which of the following is considered legal under Olympic luge rules?

Answer: running across the finish while carrying the sled

Oddly enough, it is not a violation of the rules for the slider to cross the finish line while carrying the sled. The slider merely must be in contact with the sled as he/she crosses the finish line. Running is fine, but is certainly not the fastest way down the track!

9. Under Olympic rules, what is a 195-pound male slider allowed to do that a 205-pound slider isn't?

Answer: wear a weight vest

Lighter sliders are at a disadvantage to heavier ones, because the increased weight overcomes more of the air resistance and ice/sled friction. To level the playing field, lighter riders can wear a weight vest. Competitors under 198 pounds can add up to 28.6 pounds (depending on the slider's weight), and women under 165 pounds can add up to 22 pounds.

10. Where did the fine sport of luge originate?

Answer: St. Moritz, Switzerland

St. Moritz, Switzerland is known for its health spas and winter sporting resorts. It is regarded as the birthplace of luge, as well as skeleton and bobsleigh (bobsled). Hotelier Caspar Badrutt (1848-1904) was the main force driving the invention of luge, near his very first St. Moritz hotel.

The earliest sliders careened down the icy streets of St. Moritz in adapted delivery sleds. Mostly out of safety concerns, Badrutt would later build the first artificial sliding track.

Source: Author slapchop

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
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