Mark Hatton

Keynote and After Dinner Speaker

Mark is one of Britain’s most successful Luge racers. He raced in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games  in Salt Lake City and in the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin. In Salt Lake he achieved his goal of being the highest ranked finisher from a country without a home track. Proudly self-funded for the majority of his 12 year career, he was told he was too old to pursue a career in Luge when he switched from Pole Vaulting to Luge at 21 years of age.

He is twice Commonwealth Champion and six times British Champion.

Despite a fracture in his spine in 2001, through hard physical work and a fierce competitive spirit he overcame this to race for Team GB in two Olympic Games. During his full time career he raced in every World Cup but one due to injury and all Major Championships, winning Great Britain’s first international Luge gold medal in 2004 in the Lake Placid Nations Cup.

About the Luge

Luge is the fastest discipline on the Olympic programme.

Speeds can reach over 90mph.

Athletes experience G Forces of over 5g.