The Whistler Sliding Centre's luge track made a big comeback this weekend after holding its first major international competition since the death of a Georgian luger during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
More than 100 athletes from 20 countries came to the Whistler venue and attended the luge World Cup on Friday and Saturday.
Sam Edney, a 12-year veteran to Canada's national team, placed fifth at the event. He acknowledged there was a lot riding on the outcome of the two-day race.
"There's this fear lingering over the track, but this was an important race to have just to show it isn't that beast that everyone thinks it is," Edney told CTV News.
The Whistler Sliding Centre came under fire for being too fast when 21-year-old Nodar Kumaritchvili died after being flung off the track and slamming into an exposed steel pole. The young athlete, who was travelling almost 145 kilometres per hour at the time of the impact, was killed by multiple blunt force injuries to his head caused by a collision with a low wooden barrier and the post.
Kumaritchvili's death raised concerns the 105 million-dollar facility would not host new competitions. Since the tragedy occurred two years ago, adjustments have been made to the track and the venue's stakeholders are optimistic about its future.
"Next year, we host the luge world championship and that builds on this event," said Keith Bennett, CEO of Whistler Sport Legacies. "This year, we're opening up the facilities full time for skeleton and adding bobsleigh."
As more people use the facility it generates revenue and opportunities for Canadian athletes to train there, Tourism Whistler told CTV News.
Athletes like Edney believe that training will lead to a stronger team and an investment in future B.C. athletes.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Bhinder Sajan
