By: Sydney Chan, Syracuse University B.S. Broadcast and Digital Journalism
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — “It’s awesome. It’s amazing. It’s a little bit insane. But so are the racers,” laughs Kenny Krilla after Saturday’s, Feb. 1, youth luge A and B races held at Mt Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid. The proud uncle of slider Violet Clancy, Krilla is commonly referred to and known as “Uncle Kenny” by other members of the USA Luge Junior Development Team.
The races at this year’s Empire State Winter Games were the first Krilla has ever seen. “We’ve [Clancy and him] talked about [luge], but it’s very difficult to understand what it is and what it means. I’ve seen pictures, but when you see it live, it’s fast! It’s so different from anything else,” he exclaims.
While comparing the “Fastest Sport on Ice” to any other activity may be an impossible task, the young athletes on the USA Development Team are dedicated to sharing the secrets of their craft.
“So when you start, you have to paddle [and pull off the handles], and then the whole run down, it’s just completely double-vision,” says Brynn Davison. She took home the gold in the Youth B Women’s races, with a total time of 1 minute, 37.970 seconds.
“You can’t see straight, you’re laying on your back and you have to hold your feet up. You go through big turns, and there’s a bunch of pressure on you. Your neck starts to hurt, and you get whipped around a lot — but it’s really fun!” Davison adds. If that sounds crazy, that’s because it is.
“At this [youth] level, we’re looking at top speeds of about 35 miles an hour,” Ali Coates from the Adirondack Luge Club explains. “And for the adults and more senior sliders, we’re looking at 80 to 90 miles an hour.”
Controlling a sled on a track as technical as Mt Van Hoevenberg is no easy task. “You need to be able to steer, with your head and your hands a little bit, but mostly with your calves on the [sled’s] runners known as kufens.” Davison attests, “The first thing sliders are taught is how to properly crash and grab their sleds as soon as possible.”
But never fear — learning how to safely and properly compete in this sport is a fun process shared by a strong community. “My favorite part of sliding is the people that I meet,” slider Bentley Pond says. “It’s just the joy that these guys have no matter how old they are. The camaraderie between teammates from different age groups is amazing,” Krilla continues.
“The kids are great; they’re so much fun,” Youth Development Coach Aidan Kelly remarks. “It’s inspiring to experience all of the little victories with the kids.” Youth Development Team Coach Elana Morrison adds, “My favorite part [of coaching] is when the kids have an epiphany about something.” Kelly interjects, “Those lightbulb moments!”
