Influence of Track Interval Times on the Total Run Time in Skeleton and the Sport of Luge

Performance of athletes in sliding sports is track-specific and influenced by various factors, including environmental conditions and choice of equipment. During this study track-specific influence of interval times on the outcome of the run was examined for men single events in luge and skeleton. Lake Placid sliding track is thoroughly familiar to elite athletes due to its long traditions in hosting international competitive events, and therefore it was chosen for the study. Correlation analysis was performed in order to determine which intervals of the track have a strong influence on the run time over the whole distance. Ratio of the interval times to the total run time was determined. Correlation was computed between interval times and remaining run times, in order to obtain independent variables for analysis. Results of the correlation analysis from Lake Placid track were compared to results obtained from competitions at Whistler track. This track, in contrary to Lake Placid track, has been opened recently and hosted just a few competitive events, therefore being new to athletes. Results of the study had shown that starting interval at Lake Placid track influences the outcome of the run in luge more than in skeleton. Overall interval time influence at Lake Placid track is weaker for luge athletes that for athletes of skeleton. At Whistler track, however, correlation coefficients between interval times and remaining run times were at the same level both for skeleton and luge athletes. It was found that intervals that athletes cross at shorter times influence the result as much and even stronger than intervals that take longer time to pass. Interval times demonstrated stronger correlation with the remaining times for top-10 results in luge than for results from 11th to 25th place. A similar tendency was found for the sport of skeleton: correlation coefficients for top-10 athlete’s group were slightly higher than for athletes at ranked from 11th to 20th place. It was concluded that results of competitive runs at Lake Placid track for luge athletes are influenced by starting interval and the 3rd interval time stronger than by other intervals. For skeleton athletes interval between curves 12 and 15 have a major importance. Since just two luge and one skeleton competition took place at Whistler track, only preliminary conclusions can be done for this track. During skeleton competition athletes were mostly influenced by the part of the track including curves 9 and 10, but no conclusions can be done about correlation between starting interval and remaining rune time. Correlation coefficient of 0.46 was found between starting time and remaining run time for lugers at Whistler track