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WESTMINSTER, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Clutching the reins and leaning back, skiers at Wachusett Mountain in Westminster tried hitting the slopes on luges over the weekend.
President of U.S.A Luge and Two-time Olympian Erin Warren said that the luge is like souped-up backyard sledding, and something that very few people have the chance to try. But patrons at Wachusett got the rare opportunity to give it a whirl, including WBZ's Matt Shearer who said steering is harder than it looks.
"If U.S.A Luge waited for every child to have an undying passion to be a luge racer, we wouldn't have any kids," Warren said. So to advertise the sport, Warren travels along with U.S.A Luge across the country to hand interested parties the reins during what they call the "Luge Challenge."
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According to U.S.A Luge, the challenge was also a way for team coaches and athletes to scout young athletes who showed potential for the sport. Team officials said that youngsters could be invited to participate in screening camps at their training facilities in Lake Placid, New York or Park City, Utah.
The event also had many U.S.A Luge Olympians like Warren coaching attendees on the basics of accelerating, steering, and stopping. U.S.A Luge members have been organizing the Luge Challenge since 1996, and each trial included practice runs complete with curves and timing equipment.
WBZ's Matt Shearer (@MattWBZ) reports.
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