Recreation

Localuge for the Light-Hearted

Grassroots sliding series begins November 13

by Mimi Wacholder

Lie on your back, point you toes, engage your stomach muscles and look down your body between your feet. Do you feel ready to take on an Olympic sport? You may, if you were also on a fiberglass sled, wearing a helmet, about to rip down an icy track at speeds where you actually experience G forces. Intrigued? Luge may be just the sport you are looking for.

Luge, the French word for sled, became a Winter Olympic sport in 1964. In the early years, the U.S. had struggled to make an impact at the elite competitive level. However, the team has gradually gained strength and momentum and made history in 1998 earning both silver (doubles Chris Thorpe and Gordy Sheer) and bronze (doubles Mark Grimmette and Brian Martin) Olympic medals. The duo of Grimmette and Martin went on to earn Olympic silver in 2002 and continue to dominate the World Cup series today. The recent success of the U.S. team has gained this sport increased recognition and understanding.

Gordy Sheer, now retired from competition and the marketing director for U.S. Luge in Lake Placid, commented, “I believe that today people are a lot more educated about our sport. Years ago, we would have to always explain…luge, it’s a sport, like bobsled, without the sled around you and lying on your back.”

For those that may have seen luge on television, but could use a refresher: in luge, the athlete rides a small, molded fiberglass sled (technically known as a pod) on top of steel edge runners down a mountainside, in a frozen track, at speeds around 74-83 miles per hour. The body is positioned feet first, lying on your back while steering is accomplished by pressing the legs into the bow, or curved flexible section of the runner.

You can actually experience the exhilarating thrill of luge first hand in Lake Placid this winter as part of the 2003-2004 Localuge Series presented by Ad Workshop. The Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) offers the series. ORDA is a New York State Authority enacted after the 1980 Winter Olympic Games to manage and ensure the utilization of the Olympic venues.

“This is the only offering of its kind in the United States and possibly the World,” explained ORDA sports development director, Greg Borzilleri. He started the program last year after speaking with locals who expressed a desire to try luge. “We had in the past offered a similar program for kids, so I thought it would be fun to let the grown ups have a turn.” The response was overwhelming, 91 people participated in the 6-session season program.

Olympic medalist Gordy Sheer shows his support for the program by coming out as a coach for a few of the training sessions. “Having a program like this is really unique and crucial to the growth of the sport,” he expressed. “By design, there is a limited amount of ice time on the track in a given season. There needs to be time to train and develop athletes in 3 different sports (luge, bobsled and skeleton) — having time set aside to develop and educate new participants is a great opportunity,” he added.

Last season’s participants, both male and female, from as far away as London, England, are firefighters, pilots, bankers, waiters, designers and more. In common, they share a curious nature, a desire to try new things and an overwhelming willingness to have a great time.

Chiropractor and volunteer firefighter, Nik Steg, of Saratoga Springs, is a ringleader in this category. He had so much fun last season he talked a handful of friends into coming along for sessions later in the season and many have plans to return this season. “ I moved from Queens to Saratoga Springs. Being so much closer to the Olympic sites, I thought I’d take advantage,” remarked Steg regarding his motivation to try luge. He added, “I like the excitement of luge and I wanted to try something not many people have the opportunity to do.”

Henry Haeberle of Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, liked the idea of sliding down an icy track after watching it in the Olympics. “I always thought luge looked like a lot of fun, and when I saw it in the local newspaper, I figured I give it a shot,” he described. Haeberle is a retired airline pilot, so it stands to reason that he might be into piloting his own sled at great speeds down the frozen track. What may be surprising however, is that he took up the sport last season for the first time at age 72. “I plan to return again this season. It takes time, skill and a lot of practice,” Haeberle added.

Series director Borzilleri commented that he was surprised at the level of response last season, “It was amazing how many people came out last year — and what a unique mix of people it attracted.” The eclectic mix came together forming bonds and cultivating the camaraderie of a high school soccer team.

“It was great to take up a sport that was non-competitive where you really didn’t have to know anything or have any skills going in,” explained Lake Placid local and advertising executive, Cindy Short. She explained that she does not consider herself a thrill-seeker, but just liked the idea of something fun to do at night in the winter. “At first, watching the other people go down the track, I was convinced I was going to die. Knowing they all made it down and lived was the only reason I was able to go — it’s not for the faint-hearted,” remarked Short. The program is however, for the light-hearted. There is an end-of-season party with races and awards where Short was voted “Best Dressed” for wearing a leopard-print teddy lingerie, complete with a tail.

In addition the fun to be had throughout the season, the session offers technical training and a chance to slide the track one to four times each evening. The series will be held at the Verizon Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg — a 1980 Olympic venue and site of the upcoming World Cup competitions. Included in the $200 registration fee is five nights of sliding, an end-of-season race/party and all necessary equipment and coaching. The open house is November 13 and sliding dates include December 11, January 1, 15, and 29 and February 12. Sliding is set for 6-9 pm with the exception of December 11 and February 12 when the time offered is 7-10 pm. Because this is a program designed specifically for adults, the minimum age to participate is 21. To register or for more details, visit www.orda.org or contact Greg Borzilleri at ORDA: (518) 523-1655 extension 206.

Localuge is a grassroots sliding series, if you discover that you are passionate about the sport and wish to pursue further training, you may join the U.S. Luge Association or a luge club program. To learn more visit www.usaluge.org or call (518) 523-2071.

We all know how long and cold a northeastern winter can seem, especially now that night falls long before dinnertime. This season, rise to the challenge of a new activity — something you can do at night, outdoors, something exciting that takes advantage of our winter weather and our regional Olympic heritage — the sport of luge!

Mimi Wacholder (wacholder@adelphia.net) resides in Lake Placid where she works as a freelance writer, marketing consultant, yoga instructor and figure skating choreographer. She enjoys hiking, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, triathlon and everything about the Adirondacks.

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