Luge Timing: Why Thousandths Matter

Luge Scoring and Timing: Thousandths of Seconds Over Four Runs

Luge is timed to the thousandth of a second (0.001 s) — a level of precision unmatched by most Olympic sports. The International Luge Federation (FIL) oversees a timing system that must be accurate enough to separate athletes whose combined four-run times differ by less than the blink of an eye.

The Four-Run Format

Men’s and women’s singles: four runs over two days.

• Day 1: Runs 1 and 2.
• Day 2: Runs 3 and 4.

Doubles: two runs on one day.

All run times are summed. The lowest cumulative time wins. There is no dropped run — every run counts.

At Beijing 2022, Natalie Geisenberger of Germany won women’s singles gold with a combined time of 3:53.454 over four runs — an average of about 58.36 seconds per run. Second place, Anna Berreiter (also Germany), finished at 3:53.947 — a margin of 0.493 seconds across four runs.

Timing Technology

FIL timing uses photocell beams at multiple points:

1. Start: two timing eyes measure the start time (~50 m interval).
2. Intermediate splits: photocells at several points along the track record split times. These are displayed in real-time for spectators and broadcasters.
3. Finish: a final photocell beam records the finish time.

All times are recorded to 1/1000th of a second (0.001 s). The primary timing system and a fully independent backup system run simultaneously. In case of malfunction, the backup time is used.

Start Time

The start time — measured from the first to the second timing eye — is displayed separately because of its predictive value. FIL data shows a strong correlation between start time and finish time: approximately 3:1, meaning a 0.01-second advantage at the start translates to roughly a 0.03-second advantage at the finish.

This correlation drives the emphasis on explosive start training. Many luge athletes come from track-and-field backgrounds or incorporate sprint training into their regimen.

Tie-Breaking

At 0.001-second precision, ties are extremely rare. If two athletes post the same cumulative time after four runs, they share the position. At the Olympics, both would receive the same medal — no tiebreaker (individual run times, start times, splits) is applied.

Start Order

For Run 1, the start order is based on FIL world rankings — higher-ranked athletes start later. The logic: earlier sliders prepare the ice surface, and the track typically becomes faster and smoother after the first few athletes. In subsequent runs, the start order is reversed from the current standings — leaders go last.

Team Relay Timing

The team relay uses continuous timing:

1. The women’s singles slider starts; her finish time is recorded.
2. She hits a touch pad, which triggers a start gate at the top for the men’s singles slider.
3. The men’s slider finishes and hits the pad, releasing the doubles team.
4. The doubles team’s finish time is the team’s total.

The clock runs from the women’s start to the doubles’ finish. Transition time (the delay between the touch pad and the gate opening) is included. A faster touch-pad hit doesn’t help beyond triggering the gate.

Track Records and Conditions

Each track has an official record. Track conditions vary based on:

• Air temperature: warmer air softens the ice surface.
• Ice temperature: colder ice is harder and generally faster.
• Humidity: high humidity can create a micro-layer of frost that slows the surface.
• Traffic: the first few sliders each session scrub the ice; later sliders may find a smoother, faster surface.

FIL officials monitor conditions and can delay or suspend competition if temperature changes create unsafe speed differentials between early and late starters.