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Source: Reuters -
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Austrian brothers Tobias and Markus Schiegl survived a terrifying moment on the infamous Corner 16 at Whistler's sliding track on Thursday during the first run of the Olympic luge doubles competition.
They appeared to enter the high-speed curve too high and as driver Tobias desperately tried to correct the sled it was dumped down to the bottom of the track and collided with the opposing side of the ice wall, momentarily going airborne.
Luckily they came to rest with neither appearing to have suffered any injury, but the incident inevitably revived memories of the crash that killed luger Nodar Kumaritashvili.
The Georgian lost control at virtually the same spot and was catapulted off the track before striking a steel post. Since that fatality the corner has been fitted with wooden boarding to stop sliders leaving the track.
Reigning Olympic doubles champions Andreas and Wolfgang Linger, another team of Austrian brothers, set the fastest time of 41.332, closely followed by Latvians Andris and Juris Sics who were just 0.08 seconds slower.
Italians Christian Oberstolz and Patrick Gruber were third quickest with the medal run later on Thursday.
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