Utah Lugers place 7th in the Olympic Team Relay

Singles, doubles, mens, womens and team relay races return to Park City's Utah Olympic Park. Photo: Michele Roepke

BEIJING — All four American luge athletes improved upon their Beijing finishes in the Luge Team Relay today where they came in seventh place. 

The US Luge Relay Team:

• Ashley Farquharson (1st Olympics) Park City, Utah
• Chris Mazdzer (4th Olympics) Salt Lake City, Utah
• Sean Hollander (1st Olympics) Lake Placid, NY
• Zack DiGregorio (1st Olympics) Medway, Massachusetts 

Farquharson went first down the track for USA with a fast start time and kept the time in the green for her entire run. She sat up at the finish line and slapped the paddle above her head which released the start for her teammate Mazdzer. He found fast lines as well and the United States was in the lead as Mazdzer sat up as his sled slightly slows from 70 mph, hit the paddle releasing the doubles team from the start then he quickly exited the track. With five countries still to slide after them, Hollander and DiGregorio had a near-flawless run, maintaining the team’s lead until they scraped the wall in the second-to-last curve that’s been the trouble spot for more lugers than not on Beijing’s tricky track.

Content with their group effort, they shared a group hug in the finish area before Mazdzder gave an interview about his future to NBC saying,

I want to do a farewell race, but this is probably my last Olympics, more than likely. I’m not gonna say the “R” word. I’m going to enjoy this for a couple more days, and then actually think about retirement.

While the International Olympic Committee is debuting multiple mixed-gender team events in 2022, this one has been in the program since 2014.

2022 Olympics Luge Team Relay Results:

1. Gold (GER)
2. Silver (AUT)
3. Bronze (LAT)

With this gold, Germany’s Natalie Geisenberger became the owner of the most Luge medals to one athlete, in history, with seven.

 

 

 

 

 

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