Planning and Design of Bobsleigh,
Skeleton and Luge Tracks with more than 45 years tradition

The design of an artificially cooled, combined Bobsleigh, Skeleton and Luge Track requires interdisciplinary knowledge at the highest level. The review of existing solutions to potential improvements by current technological developments is an ongoing process. We work in close collaboration with the technical commissions of the IBSF and FIL and realize our projects directly to the needs of the sport.

Innovation + Development + Research

We have the know-how and technology to implement the design services and oversee the project from initial design to final homologation by the International Federations. Our proprietary track design software will be updated every year to follow new developments in the sliding sports and in the construction technology. We constantly research on optimized solutions.

As Consultants we support the company's in the construction phase. With our experience we can provide important information about saving costs and construction time. In each phase of the project we offer support in the coordination with the technical commission of IBSF and FIL. We can assist with 3D visualizations for the media and for promotion.

Designed Track Meters

Invested Project Hours

Drawings Created

Experience

There is no company in the world that can boast similar references. Since 1985, we have designed practica all artificially cooled tracks that are listed in the current competition schedule of International Federations. In the construction phase, we support the local constructor with consulting services based on our experience from designing 7 Olympic tracks.

Focus + History

IBG + Partner is an Engineering company based in Leipzig, Germany that designs modern Bobsleigh, Skeleton and Luge tracks. Our tracks combine over 45 years of experience, modern technology and green design.

The "Ingenieurbüro Gurgel" (IBG) was founded in 1993 by Udo Gurgel with location in Leipzig – Germany. The aim was to implement the experience gained from a long standing activity in the Scientific Technical Centre for Sport Buildings in Leipzig ("WTZ Sportbauten") in future design and planning processes for bobsleigh and luge tracks. Udo was involved in the planning of the first full computer calculated artificial iced track in 1968 in Oberhof – German. IBG + Partner provide services in connection with construction, modification or modernization of Bobsleigh, Skeleton and Luge tracks. We can provide all phases in the planning and track design phases.

Masterplan Design

  • Site master planning and layout for the entire venue
  • Layout and planning of all on-site access roads
  • Layout and planning of all on-site pedestrian trails
  • spectator access and seating areas
  • Designated access routes for spectators, athletes, officials, VIPs, media, emergency personnel and operation stuff
  • Venue traffic managment

Track Design

  • Preliminary and final design in horizontal and longitudinal projection
  • Calculation of speed and g-forces as well as run dynamic calculations
  • Calculation and design of cross profiles
  • All calculation results can be used to create 3D-visualizations

Related Design Services

  • Cost estimation for track body construction
  • Detailed design of all elements which are related to the track (safety system, foundations up to weather protection)
  • Work closely with other specialists including refrigeration design
  • A big part of the design service which is necessary to build a combined bobsleigh and luge track can be provided
  • Udo Gurgel

    Diplom Ingenieur,
    Master Track Designer

    Olympic, Sport and Venue Design Experience

    2006 – 2012
    Master Track Designer,
    Sochi 2014 Sanki Sliding Center Project, Krasnaya Polyana, Sochi, Russia

    2004 – 2006
    Master Track Designer,
    Vancouver 2010 Whistler Sliding Center Project, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

    2002 – 2005
    Master Track Designer,
    Torino 2006 Cesana Sliding Center Project, Torino, Italy

    1992 – 1998
    Master Track Designer,
    Salt Lake City 2002 Utah Winter Sport Park Sliding Center Project, Park City, Utah, USA

    1993 – 1995
    Master Track Designer,
    Nagano 1998 Sliding Center Project, Nagano, Japan

    1989 – 1991
    Master Track Designer,
    Lillehammer 1992 Sliding Center Project, Lillehammer, Norway

    1984 – 1986
    Master Track Designer,
    Calgary 1988 Sliding Center Project, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    2008
    Salnsjöbaden, Sweden
    Cortina d‘Ampezzo

    2007
    
Bakuriani, Georgia
    
Altenberg, Germany

    2005
    
Krynica, Poland

    1982 – 1985

    Sigulda, Latvia

    1980 – 1986
    Altenberg, Germany

    1968 -1970
    
Oberhof, Germany

    Education

    1960 – 1965
    Structural Civil Engineer,
    University of Architecture and Civil Engineering,
    Weimar, Germany

    Publications

    "High-Speed Ice Friction Experiments under Lab Conditions: On the Influence of Speed and Normal Force"
    ISRN Tribology, vol. 2013, Article ID 703202

  • Mike Richter

    Diplom Ingenieur,
    Principal, Track Designer,
    Principal Research and Development Engineer

    Olympic, Sport and Venue Design Experience

    2006 – 2012
    Track Designer, Principal Research and Development Engineer,
    Sochi 2014, Sanki Sliding Center Project, Krasnaya Polyana, Sochi, Russia

    2004 – 2006
    Track Designer, Principal Research and Development Engineer,
    Vancouver 2010, Whistler Sliding Center Project, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

    2000 – 2005
    Track Designer, Principal Research and Development Engineer,
    Torino 2006, Cesana Sliding Center, Torino, Italy

    2008
    Study for a 600 m long luge track with artificial ice,
    Salnsjöbaden, Sweden

    Inventory Study (digitizing) and state investigation of track and technical equipment, reconstruction in terms of future use while respecting the historic nature of the track,
    Cortina Sliding Center, Cortina d‘Ampezzo, Italy

    2007
    Study for a 450 m length luge track,
    Bakuriani, Georgia

    2005
    Study for the construction of a artificial iced bob and luge track,
    Krynica, Poland

    Education

    1990 – 1995
    Structural Civil Engineer,
    Technical University Leipzig, Germany

    Publications

    “High-Speed Ice Friction Experiments under Lab Conditions: On the Influence of Speed and Normal Force,”
    ISRN Tribology, vol. 2013, Article ID 703202

    Presentations

    22.02.2017 | Symposium on friction in winter sports
    friction2017.dgm.de/the-conference/wintersporttribologie

  • Jörg Penseler

    Diplom Ingenieur,
    Principal, Track Designer,
    Principal Construction Engineer

    Olympic, Sport and Venue Design Experience

    2006 – 2012
    Track Designer, Principal Construction Engineer,
    Sochi 2014 Sanki Sliding Center Project, Krasnaya Polyana, Sochi, Russia

    2004 – 2006
    Track Designer, Principal Construction Engineer,
    Vancouver 2010 Whistler Sliding Center Project, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

    2000 – 2006
    Track Designer, Principal Construction Engineer,
    Torino 2006 Cesana Sliding Center, Torino, Italy

    2010 – 2011
    Renewal and Reconstruction for the FIBT 2011 World Championships,
    Königssee Sliding Center, Königssee, Germany

    2006-2011
    Feasibility study for a bobsleigh and luge track,
    Vatra Dornei, Romania

    2008
    Inventory Study (digitizing) and state investigation of track and technical equipment, reconstruction in terms of future use while respecting the historic nature of the track,
    Cortina Sliding Center, Cortina d‘Ampezzo, Italy

    2007
    Reconstruction of finish area for the 2008 FIBT World Championships,
    Altenberg Sliding Center, Alternberg, Germany

    2006
    Re-design of breaking stretch,
    Oberhof Sliding Center, Oberhof, Germany

    2001
    Design of push track,
    Oberhof Sliding Center, Oberhof, Germany

    2001-2002
    Reconstruction and new start,
    Königssee Sliding Center, Königssee, Germany

    Education

    1990 – 1995
    Structural Civil Engineer,
    Technical University Leipzig, Germany