Date: December 14, 2024
Contact: Lauren Howe, 978-400-3036,
Forgan and Kirkby Win Bronze in Oberhof Doubles World Cup
Farquharson fifth in women’s race
OBERHOF, Germany—For the second time in three races, the United States women’s doubles team of Chevonne Forgan and Sophia Kirkby stood on the podium at a World Cup luge event, taking the bronze medal.
Ashley Farquharson was the top finishing U.S. women’s singles sled, placing fifth. In men’s doubles, Marcus Mueller and Ansel Haugsjaa led the effort for Team USA. Following a gold medal at yesterday’s qualifying Nation’s Cup race, the duo finished in ninth.
Women’s Doubles
Forgan (Chelmsford, Mass.) and Kirkby (Lake Placid, N.Y.) utilized two astonishingly consistent runs to land on the podium in a time of 1 minute, 25.576 seconds. Their two start times differed by .001 seconds, while their finish times were only .008 seconds apart.
“We’re so happy to get back on the podium,” said Forgan, who won bronze with Kirkby at the 2024 World Championships. “I’m really happy to have two good runs today.”
“This year, I thought the conditions were way better than last year,” added Kirkby. “It was a great turnout and lovely weather here in Oberhof for a World Cup.”
The race also marked the debut of Maya Chan (Chicago, Ill.) and Sophia Gordon (Sussex, Wisc.), who placed ninth in 1:26.641. Chan competed with Reannyn Weiler (Whitesboro, N.Y.) for several seasons, while Gordon is still a member of the Junior National Team but plans to focus on doubles for the foreseeable future.
The race was won by Selina Egle and Lara Kipp of Austria in 1:24.844. They also set a track record of 42.382. Jessica Degenhardt and Cheyenne Rosenthal of Germany were second in 1:25.105.
Women’s Singles
2022 Olympian Farquharson (Park City, Utah) utilized a particularly strong second heat to move from seventh to fifth place, where she ultimately finished. She posted a two-run combined time of 1:24.426. Three-time Olympian Summer Britcher (Glen Rock, Pa.) was 14th in 1:24.967. Emma Erickson (Park City, Utah) finished 20th in 1:25.787. Emily Sweeney (Lake Placid, N.Y.) missed today’s competition due to chronic neck issues.
Austrian Madeleine Egle, sister of Selina, won the women’s race in 1:24.019. Teammate Lisa Schulte placed second with a time of 1:24.175, and Germany’s Julia Taubitz was third in 1:24.194
Men’s Doubles
Mueller (Brookfield, Wisc.) and Haugsjaa (Framingham, Mass.), the reigning Junior World Champions, clocked a time of 1:23.893. This is the duo’s first season on the National Team, despite still being eligible for Junior competitions. 2022 Olympians Zack DiGregorio (Medway, Mass.) and Sean Hollander (Lake Placid, N.Y.) placed 11th in 1:24.274.
Dana Kellogg (Chesterfield, Mass.) and Frank Ike (Lititz, Pa.) are back at the team’s headquarters in Lake Placid. During last week’s competition in Igls, Austria, Kellogg dislocated his left shoulder at the start of the second run. He will undergo surgery on Monday.
Germany’s Hannes Orlamuender and Paul Gubitz, who won their first and only race in Oberhof last season, crossed the finish in 1:23.275 to win once again. Countrymen Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt were second in 1:23.391. The Austrian duo of Thomas Steu and Wolfgang Kindl were third in 1:23.483.
Overall World Cup
In women’s doubles, Degenhardt/Rosenthal lead with 255 points. Egle/Kipp are second with 250 points, while Forgan/Kirkby are third with 225. Chan and Gordon are 13th with 39 points.
Taubitz sits atop the women’s rankings with 255 points, Egle is second with 246, and Schulte third with 225. Sweeney, who held third until today, now sits in fifth with 145. Britcher is eighth with 124 points, Farquharson is tenth with 118, and Erickson 21st with 57.
The men’s doubles points race is led by Toni Eggert and Florian Mueller of Germany with 240. Latvia’s Martins Bots and Roberts Plume are second with 231. Steu/Kindl sit in third with 210. Mueller/Haugsjaa hold ninth with 108 points, while DiGregorio/Hollander are tenth with 106. Kellogg/Ike are 20th with 58 points.
World Cup action continues in Oberhof, Germany, tomorrow, December 15, with the men’s singles and team relay events. World Championships will be held February 6-8, 2025, in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. To live stream the races and view archived competitions, please visit the FIL’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FILLuge_Channel. The entire World Cup and World Championship season can be accessed from this portal.
For more information on the Fastest Sport on Ice®, log on to www.usaluge.org
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