Prestige track outside of Moscow to host European Championships
Paramonovo (pps) While the Viessmann Luge World Cup was held in Sigulda and Russia’s national luge squad put in some practice runs back home, Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin graced the artificially-refrigerated track in Paramonovo with his presence. But Putin was not the first celebrity to have visited the prestigious track, situated just outside of Moscow.
When the track was officially inaugurated on March 10, 2008, the ceremony was attended by the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev as guest of honor and FIL President Josef Fendt of Germany. The homologation (certification) of the track took place in December 2009. Paramonovo, next weekend’s venue for the 43rd FIL Luge European Championships, is the 21st luge track to host a Viessmann World Cup event.
Difficulties as to the governing body of the track were smoothed out. It is now the City of Dmitrov that has assumed responsibility. Ralf Mende, a well-seasoned Eismeister (ice specialist) from Altenberg, was specifically retained for the preparation of the track during the final of the Viessmann Luge World Cup series.
The planning group of Lomonosov University in Moscow, headed by Dr. Alexander Shakhnazarov and Dr. Alexander Ostroumonov, has been responsible for the facility in Paramonovo, situated about 80 kilometers away (approximately 50 miles) from Moscow. According to information provided by the Russian Federation, the costs for the new facility amount to a comparatively low $ 45 million U.S.
Since the natural difference in altitude amounts to only 78 meters, the first 300 meters of the track are mounted on steel pillars up to 27 meters high. Similar to Sigulda, the start is located in a tower. The track comprises 19 curves (nine right and 10 left curves) and a maximum downhill grade of 15 percent. High speeds were calculated at a maximum of 135 kilometers (approximately 83 miles) per hour. The competition lengths are 1,261 meters (women’s singles and doubles) and 1,410 meters (men’s singles).
The track’s special feature is its innovative cooling system. Those responsible in Paramonovo decided – not least because of Russia’s strict laws which do not allow ammonia-based outdoor cooling systems – on using an ammonia CO² cascade system with three cooling circuits.
