Piloted by a professional Bobsleigh driver shoot down the icy
corridor in a real bobsleigh like the bobsleighs used in competition
reaching speeds in excess of 100-120km/h whilst feeling forces from 3½
- 4½ G's in the bends.
.
HISTORY
.
The bobsleigh track
at La Plagne was built for the Olympic Games Albertville in 1992. The
bobsleigh track was built in La Plagne thanks to the enthusiasm of the
Bobsleigh club in Macot, an area of La Plagne itself. The bobsleigh club
in Macot was the only club in the Savoie region which still had active
members. They used the old mining track in La Plagne to organise bob
competitions on the road.
.
From the 8th
to the 23rd February 1992 the Olympic track in La Plagne
welcomed 350 athletes from 27 different countries to take part in the 3
different luge competitions and 2 different bobsleigh competitions: Men’s
singles, women’s singles and men’s doubles and the Two man and four man
Bob.
.
Since 1992 the
track has been open every winter for bobsleighing, luge and skeleton. It
is the only track in France. Clubs and teams from all over the world come
here to train and take part in the various competitions throughout the
season. The track is open most evenings for the public to try the
Bob-Raft and the Taxi-Bob. Over 10 000 people have already experienced
the thrills of these activities in La Plagne.
1630HRS - 1830HRS -
DEPENDENT ON OTHER TRACK FIXTURES - RACES / MEETS etc
DEPENDENT ON
WEATHER AND ICE CONDITIONS
.
Due to the Bobsleigh activity needing ice the Bobsleigh track
is only open during certain months of the year. October is the earliest
that the track can open with the warmer temperatures of March forcing the
track to close early in the season.
.
The Bobsleigh track
in La Plagne is the only Bobsleigh track in France meaning not only is it
open to the General public but more importantly it is open to Bobsleigh,
Skeleton and Luge teams from France and other teams from across the World
that come and train on a regular basis. Due to this training the track
itself is only open to the General public to take part in the Bobsleigh
(Taxi-Bob) on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between certain times that
can be open to change by right of the operating company.
.
The Bobsleigh track
and activity can also be prone to closure when the weather or ice
conditions are not right. If it is snowing excessively heavy the workers
sometimes don't have enough time to clear the snow away from the track
before it is covered again. Although rare it does happen when it does the
track does not operate.
.
Bobsleigh / Bob Sledding - LOCATION and track description
La Plagne has one of the best bobsleigh tracks in the world.
It was the official Olympic track used for the Olympic Games at
Albertville in 1992. It is 1500m long which allows you to experience an
average speed in excess of 100km/h in a competition bobsleigh feeling
forces in excess of 3.5 G's in the bends.
.
TRACK
STATISTICS
.
LENGTH OF TRACK
1507.50m
.
DEPARTING
ALTITUDE
1684.35m
.
ARRIVAL
ALTITUDE
1559.85m
.
DEVIATION
124.50m
.
NUMBER OF LEFT
HAND BENDS
8
.
NUMBER OF RIGHT
HAND BENDS
11
.
WHITETRACKS
TEAM - FASTEST SPEED
123km/h
.
WHITETRACKS
TEAM - FASTEST TIME
58.31secs
.
how
to get there from Courchevel
.
La Plagne is not connected in anyway to Courchevel other than
road or by air. To drive to La Plagne it is necessary to drive down the
mountain from Courchevel to Moutiers. From Moutiers you need to head up
the valley road towards Aime and Bourg St Maurice. After about 20 minutes
driving you need to turn off and enter Aime. From Aime you need to start
making your way back up the mountain to La Plagne. The whole journey from
Courchevel to La Plagne takes about 50-60 minutes depending on traffic
and weather.
Collected from your chalet or Hotel you and the other
participants will be transported straight to the Olympic Bobsleigh track
in La Plagne. The Whitetracks host will then walk with you to the main
desk where they will introduce you all the operators, answer any final
questions or queries that you may have and make sure that you are being
looked after properly.
.
The Whitetracks host will then make their way down to corner
six the first major G force corner to take photos of the Bobsleigh as it
whips past. Once the Bobsleigh has gone past the host will then walk back
to the top of the track and wait patiently for your return ready to
escort you back Courchevel, straight to your chalet or hotel. Whitetracks Host
Catch a Helicopter from the helipad at the Altiport in
Courchevel to the Olympic Bobsleigh track in La Plagne. A Whitetracks Host will at the Helipad
in La Plagne awaiting your arrival ready to escort you and the
participants to the Bobsleigh track. Once you have finished the Bobsleigh
activity the Host will again escort back to the Helicopter where you will
catch it back to Courchevel. - Click Here
for Details
Step onto the VIP Bob-Bus™in
Courchevel and get transported to the Olympic Bobsleigh track in La
Plagne in style. With Whitetracks
Snow Bunnies™ hosting, a DVD player and a bar serving chilled beer
and Champagne on the return journey it will be a winter experience you're
never forget. Click Here
for Details
5-15
minutes - signing in, brief and collection of helmet
5
minutes - getting into and organisation in Bobsleigh
Approximately
60 second descent
5-10
minutes organisation at the bottom and then transfer back to the top
.
When you arrive 10
minutes before your allocated time you will need to go to the front desk
to sign in. To get to the front desk from the Bobsleigh track car par
park you will need to walk through the big open metal gates turn right,
walk across the top of the track 'the push start area' and through the
doors into the competitors changing room.
.
Once signed in you
will need to wait until you are called. Once called the operator will
open up the desk and direct you through a door which will lead you to a
room where you will need to choose a helmet. When choosing a helmet make
sure you choose one that is firm and secure on your head. PLEASE remember
to fasten the clip which will ensure that the helmet does not come off.
.
Once you have you helmet you are now in line to take part in
the Bobsleigh. You will need to wait until you are called for your turn.
When it is your go one of the instructors will call you and the other two
people in your Bobsleigh forward. Using the metal steps provided you will
climb over the track ice wall and make your way to the empty Bobsleigh.
BE CAREFUL it is sheet ice and very slippery. When you are next to the
Bobsleigh, your allocated driver will put you in one at a time and fasten
you all in safely. He will then tell you where to put your heads for the
best view down, he will also explain where the handles are for you hold
on the way down. When everyone including the driver is in the Bobsleigh
its just a matter of waiting until its time to go!
.
When the drivers comfortable and ready one of the other
instructors will grab the handles at the back of the bobsleigh slowly
side you backwards and then line the Bobsleigh up - pointing you down the
track. He will then start pushing you forward till eventually he will let
go and away you will go!.... ENJOY THE RIDE!!
.
At the bottom of the track, the Bobsleigh will travel up an
incline to slow down. When the Bobsleigh has come to a complete
standstill the driver will jump out and one at a time once your safety
belts have been unfastened you will do the same. AGAIN be careful you
will be stepping out onto sheet ice. Once everyone is out of the
Bobsleigh they will remove the Bobsleigh from the track, slide its metal
runners into wooden blocks and then slide the Bobsleigh onto the back of
the truck. All the participant will get into the truck and you will all
be brought back up to the top of the track.
The Bobsleigh is
quite a Brutal activity, it literary is a bone shaker. As the Bobsleigh
gets faster and faster the further it gets down the track the more the
passengers get shaken about. Although crammed in you feel nice and secure
if not a little squashed, your upper body though, especially with the
extra weight of the helmet gets flung from side to side as you hit corner
after corner. With the added pressure from the G forces pushing you down
inside the Bobsleigh it is important that no one with the above problems
take part in the Bobsleigh activity.
The Bobsleigh track
supply you with a helmet it is compulsory that you wear it whilst taking
part in the Bobsleigh activity. It is almost inevitable that at some
point your head will either hit the side of the bobsleigh or will hit one
of the other passengers heads on the way down. Although all the helmets
supplied are closed face helmets, they do not have visors to pull down -
should you wish to bring goggles you can decide when you get there
whether you are going to wear them or not. Many people do not wear
goggles but if you have them with you, you then have the choice.
The Bobsleigh track
by its very nature needs to be kept cold to help preserve the ice, due to
this the track was built in a valley. Past a certain time in the
day the track receives no daylight. The Bobsleigh track in La Plagne is
one of the coldest places on earth. Dress warm there is nothing worse
than feeling cold whilst taking part in an activity especially one so
spectacular as the Bobsleigh. REMEMBER if you are cold it's only going to
take the edge of your overall enjoyment. WEAR warm ski clothing - Jacket,
Sallopettes and Gloves.
There are a number
of staff at the Bobsleigh track who are all there to perform their
individual jobs. You have the guy that puts you into the Bobsleigh and
then straps or seat belts you in and then once the Bobsleigh is ready he
then pushes the Bobsleigh which then sends you down the track.
.
There are guys
dotted down the track on the different corners who after each Bobsleigh
descent sprays the corners with water and then scrapes the ice smooth
again with special scrapers keeping the ice in near perfect condition for
the next Bobsleigh.
.
Most Importantly
there is the Pilot, the driver, this is the guy who is going to navigate
you and the other two passengers down all 1500m of icy corridor that is
laid out in front of you. The drivers are all very highly experienced,
they do it on a daily basis, some of the drivers have also taken part in
the Olympics for the French National team, so you will be in good hands.
.
Bobsleigh / Bob Sledding - EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS
