For immediate release
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- BobCAD-CAM has joined USA Luge’s sponsorship and supplier family, which includes Verizon, Allianz, Panasonic, US Steel, Dow Chemical, JetBlue and U-Haul, to name a few. The BobCAD-CAM CNC Programming software will be used to design and machine sled components to be used in competition.
The program allows the coaches to create molds and prototypes from drawings. The software will allow the coaching staff to create moldings, toolings and parts more efficiently.
Since its inception, in 1979, USA Luge has overseen the selection and preparation of the U.S. National and Olympic luge teams. In addition, a national network of luge clubs, as well as a comprehensive recruitment program, has also been developed, giving USA Luge improved depth at every level of participation.
These commitments have seen the American team grow from an international curiosity to a world power in the sport of luge. More recently, the U.S. team earned its highest finishes in Olympic history with silver and bronze medal results in both the 1998 XVIII Nagano, Japan, and 2002 XIX Salt Lake City, Utah Olympic Winter Games. During the 2006 XX Torino, Italy Olympic Winter Games, USA Luge posted its highest-ever women’s singles finish, fourth, while also matching its best-ever men’s singles finish, also fourth, from four years earlier.
There are now two artificially refrigerated tracks in the United States. The 1979 Lake Placid edition used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games was demolished and replaced with a combined luge/bobsled/skeleton track that opened in Feb. 2000. The second facility opened in 1997 in Park City, Utah and was used for the 2002
Olympic Winter Games. Additionally, a short un-refrigerated track exists in Muskegon, Mich., while a "Natural" track course exists in Negaunee, Mich.
As the Fastest Sport on Ice®, USA Luge, is strongly associated with the imagery of speed, competitiveness, patriotism and high technology. Athletes steer their sleds, at speeds of over 90-miles-per-hour, with just their shoulders and legs.
USA Luge’s success internationally has generated millions of positive print media impressions in publications such as The New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Sports Illustrated, and the Los Angeles
Times. U.S. luge athletes also appear regularly on the ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox networks, plus major cable broadcasters such as CNN, MSNBC, FOX, Speed Channel and Outdoor Life Network. In addition, NBC.com also airs World Cup events each competition weekend live, via streaming on the internet. During the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, in Torino, Italy, USA Luge’s doubles team of Mark Grimmette and Brian Martin appeared with NBC’s “Today” show hosts Matt Lauer and Al Roker and taught the pair basics of doubles luge. This season, USA Luge will produce race programming for several television outlets, including Fox SportsNet.