Thailand lays foundation for luge: First training camp in Bangkok successful

Bangkok (FIL) Together with the National Olympic Committee of Thailand and the Ski and Snowboard Association of Thailand (SSAT), the FIL organised a luge training camp in Thailand's capital Bangkok and its surroundings from May 8 to 17.

FIL Director of Development Fred Zimny (USA) and FIL Head Coach Maciej Kurovski (POL) travelled to Thailand to conduct a summer training camp for luge with 22 athletes between the ages of 14 and 16. 

Fred Zimny reports: "The camp took place mainly in Bangkok, including a brand new ice skating hall and the Rajamangala National Stadium. We also trained on a great hill in the seaside resort of Rayong, which is about 1.5 hours from Bangkok, using wheeled sleds."

The athletes were spotted by coaches from the Thai Ski and Snowboard Association (SSAT). They underwent physical tests and are selected to participate in snowboarding, skiing, luge, bobsleigh or skeleton competitions depending on their performance and their interests. "We saw several athletes, both male and female, who showed potential for luge," Fred Zimny reports. The SSAT's goal is to qualify at least one luge athlete for the YOG in Pyeongchang 2024.

The sport of luge was completely new for the coaches and athletes in Thailand. Nobody had ever seen a luge sled before. Fred Zimny was nevertheless enthusiastic about the motivation: "The enthusiasm and interest were great. By the end of the camp, many of the athletes had mastered completely new things, such as the position on the sled, driving a wheel sled slalom course and an appealing start technique. The SSAT coaches even made a set of start handles that we used for start trainings on the ice in the skating arena."

Activities at the luge camp in Thailand included an introduction of the group to the sport and its equipment, physical testing of all athletes using the FIL protocol of seven tests, two sessions of start training on the ice, two days of sled training and classroom instruction on the history of the sport, how the sled works, luge rules and a Q&A session.

FIL Development Program Director Fred Zimny tells how the contact with the sports federation in Thailand came about: "While in Beijing for the Olympics, Sueb Tarasiri from the Ski & Snowboard Association of Thailand (SSAT) approached me at the track. It was about 15 minutes before the men's race was about to start so unfortunately, I had very little time to spend with him. But he told me they were interested in starting a luge program in Thailand, of course I was a little skeptical at first. Afterall, why would someone from Thailand want to do luge? But after the Games we stayed in touch and sure enough, they were completely legitimate and organized and the camp came together very quickly. The SSAT funded the trip for both myself and FIL coach Maciej Kurowski and I have to say, I had moderate expectations, but the camp went great and was very well organized. We identified several male and female athletes with potential that we have recommended to the Thailand Federation for future participation in luge, perhaps with the FIL group”.