Paramonovo (pps) The first artificially refrigerated luge and bobsleigh track in Russia was officially opened in Paramonovo, 80 kilometers outside Moscow, on Monday, March 10, 2008. Guests at the dedication ceremony included Dmitri Medvedev, who will become Russia’s new president and successor to Vladimir Putin in May 2008, and Josef Fendt, President of the International Luge Federation (FIL).

The responsible body for the Russian project was the planning group of the Lomonosov University of Moscow headed by Dr. Alexander Schachnazarow and Dr. Alexander Ostroumonow. A special computer program was developed especially for this track.

As a result of the natural altitude difference of only 78 meters (256 feet), the first 300 meters (984 feet) of the ice track were mounted on steel pillars up to 27 meters (89 feet) high. Like in Sigulda, the start is located in a tower. The track comprises 19 curves (nine right and ten left curves). With a maximum drop of 15 per cent, high speeds were calculated at a maximum of 130 kilometers per hour (80 mph).

A special feature is the track’s innovative cooling system. Mainly due to Russia’s strict laws, which do not allow ammonia-based cooling system outdoors, an ammonia-CO² cascade system with two cooling circuits was used.