Kumaritashvili report: Whistler track faster than anticipated

THE International Luge Federation have confirmed that no single reason was responsible for the death of Georgian Nodar Kumaritashvili at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, but have admitted the track was much faster than they expected.

TRAGIC ACCIDENT: The death of Georgian Nodar Kumaritashvili was due to a number of factors, according to the ILF report (Getty Images)

Delivered to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) a week ago, the ILF report says the 21-year-old's death at the Whistler Sliding Centre was a result of driver error, high speed and other factors.  

The Georgian's sled struck the inside of the track's last turn at an estimated 90mph during his sixth and final training run, sending his body into the air and into an exposed steel pillar killing him instantly.  

The accident, which occurred only hours before the Opening Ceremony, was the first in a luge competition since 1975 but the Whistler track was producing faster speeds than had been seen before.

The ILF report pointed out that a top speed of around 85mph was expected and not the 96mph which was recorded during the training runs.

FIL's secretary general Svein Romstad, who wrote the report, believes the accident could not have been foreseen and is anxious to ensure there is no repeat of the incident.

"After an in-depth analysis we concluded that there was no single reason, but a complex series of inter-related events which led to this tragedy," said Romstad.

"The FIL is determined to do what it can to avoid a tragedy like this from occurring again.

"Nodar did commit driving errors starting in curve 15-16, which as an accumulation ended in the impact that resulted in him leaving the track and subsequently hitting a post.

"This bowing of the sled has not been seen before and was therefore not predictable by technical and safety experts.

"No athlete would have control in dealing with this type of 'catapult' effect."

The Sliding Centre is still scheduled to hold the 2013 World Championships and a qualifying World Cup in 2012 but experts have yet to determine if races can begin from the original start gates.

The debate will continue at the FIL Congress scheduled for June in Sochi, Russia, which will host the 2014 Winter Olympics and will soon begin building its own sliding track.