I don't think that padding would have saved him. You go flying through the air at 135 feet per second, and come to an abrupt halt within 30', you're dead if you hit 24" of padding.
Whoever designed a course with a series of 7 steel columns mere feet from the exit from almost a 180 degree curve is a moron--plain and simple. Luge and bobsled runs are supposed to be designed to contain an upset sled within the run, and not have sleds and their riders go flying out of them.
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