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By Elizabeth Faletti, BASOC Volunteer Writer and Editor
Imagine hurling down an icy white corridor, on your back and feet first, at speeds over 90 miles per hour. You drop 390 vertical feet, covering 1,340 meters (4,400 feet) in an average time of 48 seconds. "You're pushing the edge of control…it's you, gravity, and the clock," says Brian Martin, 1998 Nagano Olympian and back driver of the leading U.S. luge doubles team gearing up for the 2002 Salt Lake Games. Brian and partner Mark Grimmette will once again take on the Olympic challenge, this time on home soil, as the team competes in Park City, Utah on the world's fastest luge track.
Since October 8, 2001, the team has either trained or raced in five countries and six cities including Park City, Utah; Calgary, Canada; Lake Placid, N.Y.; Koenigssee, Germany; Igls, Austria; Oberhof Germany; and LaPlagne. Enjoying a much needed holiday break, Brain and Mark will resume international racing mid-January. Their first stop will be Sigulda, Latvia for round six of the World Cup series (Jan. 19-21, 2002). The series concludes in Winterberg, Germany, Jan. 26-28. As the 2000-2001 season draws to a close, our U.S. doubles sliders find themselves fourth in the overall World Cup standings (3rd, 17th, 5th, and 5th place finishes respectively). Then it's on to Salt Lake.
A native of the Bay Area, Brian was born in Stanford and resides in Palo Alto. He was exposed to the sport in 1988 and progressed quickly, being named to the U.S. Development Team in 1989. He teamed up with former partner Dan Warren from 1990-1996 and the team raced in every World Cup, with the exception of the 1995-1996 season.
Brian and Mark officially became a doubles team in the summer of 1996 as unfunded athletes. The team won a World Cup bronze medal in their first WC race together (Dec. 1996, Lillehammer, Norway) after paying their own way. By winning the medal, they became a funded team. The doubles team finished the 1997-1998 World Cup season with finishes of 1st, 1st, 7th, 1st, 2nd, and 1st. This extraordinary season was topped off with a bronze medal at the Nagano Games.
We caught up with Brian prior to the holiday break to talk about luge, his connection to BASOC, and the 2002 Winter Games.
How did you become involved with BASOC?
I became involved with BASOC because Anne Cribbs was my swim coach. I have stayed in touch with her over the years.
When did you first start competing in the luge?
I got introduced to the sport in 1988 by Olympic luge champion Bonnie Warner (1984, 1988, and 1992 Games). She held a wheeled clinic off of Sand Hill Road in Palo Alto. From there, I progressed up through different teams.
How did your doubles team qualify for the 2002 Games?
Through World Cup competition. In the first World Cup we finished third which was good enough to qualify us for the Olympic team. The second race didn't go as well! (For the latest information on Brian and Mark's World Cup finishes, visit www.usaluge.org).
What are your expectations for Salt Lake?
We have been preparing for Salt Lake for a long time and over the summer we worked hard on our start. It seems to be faster this year. I think that it will be a great race. There are a lot of good teams out there and I am going to give it my all to best them.
Why do you think the Games should come to San Francisco in 2002?
I think that the San Francisco Bay Area would be the greatest place to hold the Games. It is such a wonderful place with such cultural diversity. The area itself provides for great competitions. We have great outdoor venue opportunities and there is such a healthy sporting community. Plus, I would be proud as a Californian to host the Games.
How do you think it will feel competing in the Olympics on your home soil?
Competing in my home country will be great. Having a home crowd standing along the track, cheering us on, will make it a great race!
Are you able to train exclusively? Do you have another occupation outside of luge?
I train exclusively for luge. I have worked many jobs in the past in order to support this habit, but with better results, I have been able to concentrate more of my time to luge.
Why luge? What's the payoff for you?
Luge is a great sport. First and foremost it is fun, sliding down a hill at that speed and pushing the edge of control. It is a simple sport - you, gravity, and the clock. First one to the bottom wins. It is also fast which is fun!
Anything you want to tell the home crowd before the 2002 Games begin?
I hope to see some of you in Salt Lake! It will be great fun. Go fast!
Good luck Brian! We'll all be watching and wishing you and Mark a safe and successful Olympic Games!
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