Preview Bobsled, Skeleton, Luge at Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
Luge, known as the fastest sport on ice, features athletes sliding feet first on their backs. Competitors often reach speeds exceeding 90 mph. This thrilling sport is uniquely timed to the thousandth of a second. Luge made its Olympic debut in 1964, with both men’s and women’s events, along with doubles. While there were no gender restrictions in doubles, historically, only men dominated this category.
Overview of Luge Events at Milano Cortina 2026
The format of Olympic luge consists of four heats. The fastest cumulative time over these runs determines the winner. Additionally, the team relay, which includes a female slider, a male slider, and a men’s doubles team, was introduced in 2014. Notably, women’s doubles will debut at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, enhancing the team relay format.
Historical Context and Medal Count
Germany has been the powerhouse of luge, securing 81 Olympic medals over 62 years, including medals from both East and West Germany. Austria ranks second with 22 Olympic medals. The United States has earned six Olympic medals in luge, predominantly in doubles during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The inclusion of women’s doubles in the relay has seen the U.S. team become increasingly competitive, with multiple World Cup podium finishes recently.
Team USA Olympic Medal History
- Women’s Singles: Erin Hamlin won the bronze medal in 2014.
- Men’s Singles: Chris Mazdzer secured a silver medal in 2018.
- Doubles:
- Chris Thorpe/Gordon Sheer won silver in 1998.
- Mark Grimmette/Brian Martin earned bronze in 1998.
- Grimmette/Martin secured silver in 2002.
- Thorpe teamed with Clay Ives to win bronze in 2002.
Key Athletes to Watch
The current U.S. luge team boasts several seasoned athletes with impressive accolades. Emily Fischnaller (formerly Sweeney) won a bronze medal at the 2025 World Championships. Notably, she has a personal connection to the Games, as her husband, Dominik Fischnaller, is an Italian bronze medalist from 2022.
Other talented U.S. sliders include Ashley Farquharson, who finished fourth at a recent test event in Cortina. The doubles teams, particularly Chevonne Forgan/Sophia Kirkby, are three-time world championship medalists. Their recent performances make them strong contenders for a medal in the team relay, where they will slide the anchor leg.
Event Schedule for Milano Cortina 2026
Olympic luge is set to commence on February 7, 2026, with the following schedule for medal events:
- February 8: Men’s Singles
- February 9: Women’s Singles
- February 11: Men’s and Women’s Doubles
- February 12: Team Relay
As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics approach, excitement builds around the luge events, especially with the introduction of women’s doubles to the competition. Teams are preparing to showcase their skills on a global stage.
