Editor's note: "Natural Facts – Q&A" is a special series that answers questions on natural conditions involving winter sports. In this episode, China Meteorological Administration sheds light on the track used for luge and bobsleigh.

Luge and bobsleigh, also known as "F1 on ice," are highly professional and challenging sports with very high requirements on the venue. Typically, the tracks are built on the northern slopes where there is less sunlight. But during Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, the track for the competitions has been built on the southern slope due to terrain constraints. So, how does that affect the track?

Q: The sunshine intensity and surface temperature of the southern slope are higher than those of the northern slope. Direct sunlight will affect the quality of the ice surface. How can this issue be addressed?

A: The solution is to put the track under shade. The design team has invented a shading system that protects the track from heating up under the sunlight. They first accurately calculated and simulated the solar patterns for the site from September to March the following year, and then calculated the area that different sections along the entire ice track need to be put under shade. There are also some tiny holes in the curtain to improve the light and permeability, besides reducing wind resistance. The shade can also be fully opened during the game, which will not affect the spectators' experience.

(Cover image designed by Feng Yuan/CGTN)

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