USA Luge nominates World Cup team

Park City (USA Luge/FIL) The US National Team wrapped up their stay in Park City with wins from Emily Sweeney and Tucker West in singles and Dana Kellogg and Duncan Segger in doubles.

"Overall, we had a good preseason and made the most of it, and we can be optimistic about the near future when we face international competition for the first time this season," said Robert Fegg, head coach of the US national team.

In a closer race than Sunday, Sweeney of Lake Placid edged out local luger Ashley Farquharson by 0.2 seconds. Sweeney, a 2018 Olympian and 2019 World Championships bronze medalist, had a lead of nearly 0.3 seconds in the first heat before Farquharson set the fastest time in the second. The winner took a total of 1:31.616 seconds, while Farquharson took 1:31.832. Brittney Arndt, also of Park City, finished third in 1:32.342.

All three Americans were named to the World Cup squad along with two-time Olympian Summer Britcher of Glen Rock, Pa. Britcher was pre-nominated based on her sixth-place finish at the 2021 World Championships.

Dana Kellogg (Chesterfield, Mass.) and Duncan Segger (Lake Placid) won back-to-back days at Utah Olympic Park as the two youngsters, making their World Cup debuts two years ago, raced to victory in 1:31.514. They beat Zack DiGregorio of Medway, Massachusetts, and Sean Hollander of Lake Placid by more than a second. Chevonne Forgan of Chelmsford (Massachusetts) and Sophie Kirkby of Lake Placid were third in 1:33.726.

Due to weather and track conditions, only two qualifying races were held this month in the doubles and women's events, while the men competed in three races.

The USA will send three doubles teams to the World Cup opener in Beijing on 20-21 November, led by 2018 Olympic silver medalist Chris Mazdzer of Salt Lake City despite a broken foot. He will be joined by doubles partner Jayson Terdiman, a 2014 and 2018 Olympian from Berwick, Pa. Due to Mazdzer's injury suffered in Sochi earlier this month, neither has competed in a doubles race on their new sled yet this season. They were nominated for the World Cup starting spot by the responsible committee. The teams Kellogg/Segger and DiGregorio/Hollander will also travel to Beijing in November.

Mazdzer was also named to the men's singles team and will compete with Tucker West and Jonny Gustafson. West, from Ridgefield, Connor, a member of the last two Olympic teams, won all three selection competitions. He posted a time of 1:43.806 on the 2002 Olympic track Monday, while Gustafson, of Massena, N.Y., who is seeking his first Olympic appearance, posted a two-run total of 1:45.604.

Next up for the national team is the highly anticipated three-week stay at the Yanqing National Sliding Center next month. A total of 13 American luger athletes will begin the World Cup tour; 10 will be nominated for the Olympics in mid-January.

"Everyone is looking forward to a few days off to recover before heading to China," continued head coach Robert Fegg. "Another big thank you to everyone who made this pre-season successful."