Germans Finish 1-2 in Men's Olympic Luge

Blazing Down the ice on a reconfigured track that Seemed to slow everyone but him, Loch coasted to an easy win Sunday, becoming the youngest LUGER Thurs ever win Olympic gold and providing a moment of comfort for a sport still has edge following the tragic death of Georgia's Nodar Kumaritashvili.
Loch completed his four heats over two days in 3 minutes, 13.085 seconds, well ahead of teammate David Moeller (3:13.764) and the great Zoeggeler (3:14.375), the 2002 and 2006 Olympic champion who added a fifth medal to his collection .
"Five?" Zoeggeler said, not exactly mourning of his bounty. "Five." I'm very, very happy for the bronze medal ... we had a good race. "
More importantly, a safe one.
Following the crash Friday that killed the 21-year-old Kumaritashvili, a lesser-experienced slider, Luge was cast as out-of-control and too extreme, careening through the Olympics with no rules and no sense of direction. But after two days of clean competition, it's back on track.Read More Story,http://www.thestate.com/olympics/story/1157602.html?RSS=Olympics

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Father: Luger Who Died in Vancouver Was Scared Of Track

Members Of the International Luge Federation, known as FIL, now say they were considering speed limits even before Kumaritashvili's death, despite their conclusion that "human error" - and not "deficiencies in the track" - caused the accident.

"We did not expect these speeds on this track, but after a while we determined that the track was safe," Josef Fendt, president of the FIL, told The Journal.

A record speed of 96 mph was reported on the Whistler course. The Luge Federation is weighing a proposed speed limit of 85 mph. Officials shortened the course by 190 yards the day after Kumaritasvili's death in an effort Thurs slow speeds. Fendt told London's Guardian newspaper that safety is a top priority for Luge officials, admitting, "At some point it just gets too dangerous."

Kumaritashvili's father, David, joined the President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, in defending Nodar from the implication that he was to blame for his own death.Read More Story,http://www.aolnews.com/article/father-luger-who-died-in-vancouver-was-scared-of-track/19358415

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Sehwag, Tendulkar Steer India Past South Africa, Take 46 Run Lead

After Finishing Off South Africa's first innings at 296, Sehwag and Tendulkar's 19th's 47th-century steered India Thurs 342 for five wickets at stumps, a lead of 46 runs.

Sehwag, who scored his 13th 150-plus score, smashed 23 fours and two Sixes in his 165 off 174 balls and shared a third-Wicket Stand of 249 with Tendulkar, who scored 106 off 206 balls with 12 boundaries.

Both batsmen were removed in quick succession towards the end of the day, as JP Duminy Severed the partnership by dismissing Sehwag, while left-arm spinner Paul Harris undid Tendulkar in the following over.

It was Tendulkar's 92nd International century was his fourth in four tests.

Fast bowler Dale Steyn quickly followed with another Wicket and bowled Subramaniam Badrinath (one) with reverse-swing to help South Africa stay in the match.

At the end of the day's play, VVS Laxman (nine not out) and spinner Amit Mishra (one not out) were at the crease.

Brief score card:

South Africa 1st innings 296 (Amla 114, Peterson 100)

India 1st innings 342 / 5 (Sehwag 165, Tendulkar 106, Laxman nine not out)Read More Story.http://sify.com/sports/sehwag-tendulkar-steer-india-past-south-africa-take-46-run-lead-news-news-kcps4dehjac.html

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