The Luge Man. . . .

[BamaE4U]

Ever wonder who in the world these crazy guys are who climb on a little sliver of metal to see who can get down a mountain the fastest????

Ruben Gonzales is one of them. . . . Neat guy. . . with a goal. . .A Champion in my mind.

Sign up for his newsletter and get to know someone to cheer for at the 2010 Winter Olympics. He's got a really neat story. Inspiring.

BTW. . . .he is from Houston TX. There ain't no mountains in Houston (right MLOU?). They may have a road called "Mt. Houston", but don't ask me why. I drove down it many times looking . . . . .

www.thelugeman.com/2010.htm

 

[Beth]

Very cool stuff! I love the winter Olympics, luge, skiing, snowboarding, and my favorite... curling!

 

[JCT]

My older sister Susan Charlesworth was a luger in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. Her boyfriend at the time was doing men's doubles - Ty Danco. He talked her into training. Wasn't a big sport for US women at the time so she won a spot on the team.
The Lake Placid olympics were a fiasco, they couldn't get people up to the events fast enough from the parking lots. I think we waited 2 hours for a bus. Ended up missing her run. She crashed when a spectator leaned into the track and 'spooked' her.

I remember she had to wear weights in her suit to give her extra pounds. The US women didn't have much of a chance against the East german girls who were much heavier. (weight makes you go faster).

It was so exciting for all of us, very nerve wracking to watch. Can't remember how fast the women go, maybe 60 plus. Think the guys get up to 90 mph. No thanks...

 

[Sher]

I sit in awe watching any of the Olympics and to think of the dedication that goes into getting there is amazing...for me, to ski down a ramp and then fly through the air makes me close my eyes...too scary but appreciate the art. I love watching the ice skaters...on thin blades...cripes I have trouble walking across a flat surface in shoes!
Sher