Lugers Slide to World Podium
Two-time Olympian Alex Gough of Calgary, AB, led the way for Luge athletes at the World Championships in Whistler, BC this weekend by capturing an individual bronze medal, the second of her career, before teaming up with fellow Calgarians, Sam Edney and Justin Snith, along with Tristan Walker of Cochrane, AB, to win the silver medal in the thrilling team relay with a time of 2:04.272.
Included in the 2014 Olympic line-up, the team competition is a one-run bomb race, which consists of one female sled, one male sled and one doubles team sled. Each athlete completes one run for a combined final time.
Olympian Sam Edney prepares for his first run during the men's luge at the 44th FIL World Championships at the Whistler Sliding Centre in Whistler, BC. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
“This was a weekend of close results,” said Edney. “We had such a successful Saturday and Alex gave us the encouragement this afternoon that we deserve to be on the podium. This really is awesome, and it feels so good to be on the podium in front of this crowd. I love everything about Whistler and this one is for the whole town to celebrate.”
The 25-year-old Gough clocked a two-run time of 1:13.546 during her individual race to capture the first medal for the Canadian squad this weekend.
“It feels really good,” said Gough. “It is tough to be that close to a silver medal, and not be there but I’m very happy with my performance. “I felt like I had good runs and I slid as well as I have been all week. I have to be happy with that.”
Olympians Tristan Walker and Justin Snith race during the men's luge at the 44th FIL World Championships at the Whistler Sliding Centre in Whistler, BC. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The 28-year-old veteran of the team Edney, also posted the best-ever World Championship result for a Canadian male on Saturday when he was fifth. The doubles tandem of Walker and Snith also slid an inch short of the podium in doubles racing Saturday with a historic fourth-place finish.
