Rules

The rules are fairly simple in luge. The course is timed, and the athlete must depart within a certain time window (usually 10 seconds) from the start once it is declared free.

There are weight restrictions on the sleds, as well as restrictions on the design and construction; the steel runners underneath are particularly known to provoke controversy.

Like other timed sports, qualifying determines start position, which is an important factor during deteriorating track conditions. The overall time is an aggregate of two or three runs down the course.