Snow delays sleds, creates long wait for lugers in Whistler

It’s a been a strange week for the world’s best lugers as they’ve been waiting in Whistler for their sleds to arrive.

After last week’s World Cup stop in Lake Placid, New York, the sleds were supposed to be transported by truck all the way to the west coast. But a snowstorm in the prairies led to the sleds being stalled in Manitoba when all roads west of Brandon were closed. The International Luge Federation then had to arrange for a charter flight from Winnipeg to Vancouver, with sleds arriving in Whistler on Friday instead of Tuesday as planned.

The delay led to a major alteration to the competition program as the men’s and women’s singles races as well as the doubles race were reduced to one-run. The team relay had to be cancelled.

Racing will begin at the Whistler Sliding Centre at 6:30pm local time on Saturday evening.

Read: A historic day in luge leads to three World Cup podiums

The Canadian team is looking to build on its most successful day in World Cup history after Kim McRae and Alex Gough won silver and bronze in Lake Placid. McRae was then part of the team relay gold with Sam Edney, Tristan Walker and Justin Snith.