In the team relay event, one man, one woman and a doubles pair form a team. All competitors slide from the women's/doubles start.
1. The female slider goes first and starts the clock by passing the start beam. As she crosses the finish line, she hits a touchpad suspended above the track.
2. The touchpad releases a gate at the start handles where the waiting male athlete tries to react as quickly as possible to start his run down the track.
3. The doubles team waits in place behind gate during the individual male run.
4. The individual man hits the sensor pad at the finish of his run...
5. ...which triggers the gate to open and the doubles team pushes of.
The timing clock does not stop between runs, making the reaction time of the male slider and the double team sliders a key component.
The timing clock does not stop between runs, making the reaction time of the male slider and the double team sliders a key component.
Canada's medal hopefuls in the luge team relay event - Alex Gough, Sam Edney, Tristan Walker and Justin Snith - all hail from Alberta.
GRAPHICS BY TRISH MCALASTER/THE GLOBE AND MAIL