how fast do they go in the luge
Luge speeds thrill with extreme velocity. Riders hurtle down ice tracks at blistering paces, often surpassing cars on highways.
Peak Speeds
Lugers routinely hit over 150 km/h (93 mph) on straightaways, navigating hairpin turns with split-second precision.
The men's world record stands at 153.98 km/h (95.68 mph) , set by Germany's Felix Loch at Whistler Sliding Centre in 2015—still unbroken as of early 2026.
Classic luge hit 150.42 km/h (93.46 mph) by American Frank Williams in Canada, 2017.
Competition Realities
- Olympic races : Average speeds hover around 130 km/h (81 mph) , like recent world champs winners; elite runs push peaks near 145 km/h.
- Track factors : Steep drops (up to 15% grade), polished ice, and sled design (runners angled precisely) fuel acceleration—no brakes, just body shifts for steering.
- Women vs. men : Women often top 135-140 km/h due to shorter/heavier sleds; doubles pairs sync for similar velocities.
Record Evolution
"Standing at the start you feel a special tension... this track punishes the slightest mistake." – Felix Loch on Whistler's infamous speed.
From Georg Hackl's 144.3 km/h in 2000 to Loch's mark, tracks like Whistler (built for $105M CAD) redefined limits. Street luge outliers reach 164 km/h powered, but ice rules pure form. No major record shifts post-2022 Beijing Olympics; Milano Cortina 2026 eyes new benchmarks.
Type| Top Recorded Speed| Holder/Year| Notes 139
---|---|---|---
Men's Singles| 153.98 km/h (95.68 mph)| Felix Loch, 2015| Whistler;
fastest official
Classic Luge| 150.42 km/h (93.46 mph)| Frank Williams, 2017| Quebec track
Street Luge| 164 km/h (101.9 mph)| Mike McIntyre, 2016| Non-Olympic
variant
Average Race| ~130 km/h (81 mph)| World Champs| Sustained over full run
Imagine belly-down, inches from ice at near-100 mph—crashes shred suits but pros recover. Safety gear evolved, yet risk defines the rush.
TL;DR : Luge peaks at 150+ km/h in races, records to 154 km/h; pure adrenaline on ice.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.