The FIL Luge World Cup, which took place in Oberhof, Germany, just wrapped up a five-week circuit, and the United States made a significant impact. In particular, Ray Brook native Sophia Kirkby and her doubles luge partner Chevonne Forgan from Chelmsford, Massachusetts, set a new start record during the women’s doubles event second heat.
Kirkby and Forgan demonstrated exemplary performance, securing the fifth place during Sunday’s sprint women’s doubles event. As well as, Emily Sweeney from Lake Placid trailed closely, finishing in sixth place in the women’s singles sprint race. The contingent from the US led an impressive performance, with the men’s team not far behind. Tucker West from Ridgefield, Connecticut, along with the duo of Sean Hollander from Lake Placid, and Zack DiGregorio from Medway, Massachusetts, secured the 11th place in their respective disciplines.
Regrettably, they faced some issues during the first run but managed to make an impressive comeback, securing a record start time of 7.625 seconds and finishing overall in sixth place. Their compatriots, Maya Chan from Chicago, Illinois, and Reannyn Weiler from Whitesboro, had a shaky start as well but showed improvement in the second run, finishing seventh.
The competition was heated as Germany’s Dajana Eitberger and Saskia Schirmer secured their first World Cup victory, setting a track record and winning the gold medal. Following closely, Italy’s Andrea Voetter and Marion Oberhofer claimed silver, and Germany’s Jessica Degenhardt and Cheyenne Rosenthal secured the bronze medal.
In the men’s doubles, an intense race was on display with the top three teams from the Nations Cup kicking off the race, which included 2024 Lake Placid World Cup gold medalists DiGregorio and Hollander who performed strongly initially but experienced a skid off curve 13 in the second heat. Their comrades Dana Kellogg and Frank Ike were also notable with their continued progress, securing the fastest times of their season.
Despite some challenges, the U.S. women’s singles team valiantly cemented their position with 2022 Olympian Ashley Farquharson placing seventh and three-time Olympian Sweeney finishing in the 11th place.
Undoubtedly, the competition was fierce, and Germany’s Julia Taubitz emerged victorious in the women’s singles event, earning her career’s 25th World Cup followed by her teammate, Anna Berreiter, who won silver. Austria’s Madeleine Egle placed third.
In the sprint races, Forgan and Kirkby steadfastly held their ground, finishing fifth in the women’s doubles. Their team-mates, Chan and Weiler, followed closely behind in seventh place. Triumphantly, Austria’s Selina Egle and Lara Kipp secured gold.
Maintaining a continuous upward trajectory in the World Cup standings are Italy’s Voetter and Oberhofer who are in the lead, followed by Germany’s Degenhardt and Rosenthal and Eitberger and Schirmer. Forgan and Kirkby are currently in fifth place.
Despite the challenges and stiff competition, Team USA demonstrated unparalleled resilience and a strong determination, marking significant milestones in the FIL Luge World Cup in Germany. Their performances have undoubtedly set the stage for higher achievements in future competitions.
Vocabulary List:
- Exemplary (adjective): Serving as a desirable model; outstanding.
- Impressive (adjective): Evoking admiration or respect; striking.
- Compatriots (noun): Fellow citizens or countrymen.
- Shaky (adjective): Not firm or steady; unsteady.
- Intense (adjective): Of extreme force, degree, or strength.
- Triumphantly (adverb): In a victorious or successful manner.
