Naseby luge joins list of NZ winter attractions
A report in NZ’s The Southland Times says that Adventure Tourism in New Zealand gains another dimension tomorrow with the official opening of the Naseby Luge.
After almost five years of planning, designing, fundraising and building, the 360m, 10-curve track will be opened at a 1pm ceremony.
The $200,000 track, believed to be the first snow and ice luge in the Southern Hemisphere, is based next the international curling rink and ice rink and will next season make use of the refrigeration plant from the curling rink.
Maniototo ice rink chairman Jock Scott said the idea for the luge came about on the ice rink one night.
“We started thinking what else children used to do in Naseby through the winter and the answer was easy — sledding, and it went from there really,” Mr Scott said. “It has been an exercise in courage and faith but we have got there.” While the track surroundings had been finished on time, it had been a juggle getting enough snow base on the track to then smoothe and coat with ice to create a surface.”
New and second-hand sleds had been imported for use on the luge, including smaller ones suitable for children.
More than 20 young people have this week been under the tutelage of Austrian coach Karl Flacher and New Zealand Olympic Luge Association president Geoff Balme, learning the basics of the sport and techniques.
Their training week will finish with an initial race from 11.30am tomorrow, and a second race after the opening ceremony.
As part of the celebrations, the public will have free luge rides from 2pm to 4pm.
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