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 meribel
.
La Plagne
is not connected in anyway to Meribel other than road or by air. To drive
to La Plagne it is necessary to drive down the mountain from Meribel 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 Meribel to La Plagne takes
about 50-60 minutes depending on traffic and weather.
Collected
from your chalet 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
Meribel, straight to your chalet or hotel. Whitetracks
Host
Catch a
Helicopter from the helipad at the Altiport in Meribel 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 Meribel. - Click Here
for Details
Step onto
the VIP Bob-Bus™in Meribel 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
