how do luge steer

Lugers steer mostly with subtle body movements, not like a car with a steering wheel.

The basic idea

• The sled rides on two metal runners that touch the ice.

• At 120+ km/h, even tiny inputs will change direction, so steering has to be very gentle.

• Too much steering = more friction = slower time.

How they actually steer

In Olympic-style luge, athletes use a combination of:

• Calves/legs on the runners
  • Pressing with the right calf makes the sled bend slightly and helps turn left, and vice versa.

* This is the main steering method on straight sections and small corrections.

• Shoulders and upper body
  • Pushing one shoulder into the sled “pod” helps guide the sled into or through a curve.

* The body weight shift works with the leg pressure so you don’t “fight” your own steering.

• Head and overall body position
  • Turning or tilting the head slightly in the direction of the curve helps start the movement and keeps balance.

* The rest of the body follows, from head to shoulders to legs, especially in big corners.

Doubles luge twist

In doubles luge:

• The top slider usually “calls” the turns with head movements and can see the track.

• The bottom slider has more direct contact with the sled and can apply stronger steering with legs and body.

Why it looks like they’re not moving

To the camera, it often looks like they’re just lying still.

• The goal is to stay as still and flat as possible on straights to stay fast and aerodynamic.

• Most steering is micro-movements in the calves, shoulders, and head that you barely see, but at those speeds, a tiny input is enough.

TL;DR: Lugers steer by pressing their calves into the sled’s runners, adding subtle shoulder and head shifts, and trying to do the absolute minimum needed so they don’t lose speed.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.