Julia Clukey announces retirement

Augusta (RWH) Olympian Julia Clukey from U.S.A. officially announced her retirement from the sport of luge at a press conference at the Kennebec Valley YMCA in her hometown of Augusta, Maine. She made the announcement based on recent concerns about her future health related to onset of pain she has experienced from Arnold-Chiari malformation, a congenital brain condition that she has endured throughout her career.

Clukey, 31, first tried the sport of luge at age 12 during a recruiting event in downtown Portland, Maine, and has competed in the sport for 19 years. Her career has been highlighted by finishing 17th at the 2010 Olympics, and winning the Norton U.S. National Championship in 2012 and two silver medals in Viessmann Lge World Cup competitions. Clukey also nearly qualified for the 2014 Olympics, missing the team by .013 seconds.