Alpensia Sliding Centre Pre-Homologation Official Statement

Gangwon Province, the lnternational Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF), the lnternational Luge Federation (FlL) and the PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG) hereby make an announcement regarding the Alpensia Sliding Centre's pre-homologation.

Pre-homologation is part of a greater process of inspecting, which is undertaken before homologation and then followed by the test event. As Sliding Centres inherently involve risk to competing athletes it is crucial to test all safety related facilities. Gangwon Province as the responsible party for the event, Daelim Industrial Company as the track constructor, together with the International Federations has conducted inspections of the track on a regular basis in the recent past. Through the conducting of this pre-homologation process, safety facilities have been identified and thoroughly checked. Furthermore, all parties have exchanged opinions regarding overall competition operation.

The track was planned to be tested section  by section from the lower part, moving up to the upper part. Regarding the lower part of the track, the ice making was stable. Evaluations of the speed and quality of the ice were positive from tested area.

However, the refrigeration plant is not currently stabilized to operate at maximum capacity and current weather conditions prevented the ability to maintain the ice.

Athletes have stated their satisfaction about the organization of the homologation process. They have also been pleased with auxiliary facilities such as accommodation and the surrounding environment and have expressed their excitement about the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games.

Based on what we have experienced through this pre-homologation we will endeavour to eliminate deficiencies for the continuation of the homologation process in October 2016. We will develop a timetable to implement any and all required amendments to facilities after this event. POCOG will utilize the February and March, 2017 Test Events to train all workforce and guarantee a fantastic Olympic Winter Games.

 

March 5, 2016

 

lnternational Bobsleigh & Skeleton   Federation (IBSF)                                                                                          lnternational Luge Federation  (FIL)


The PyeongChang Organizing Committee  for the 2018 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG)         Gangwon Province