Luge search set for Hawai'i

Advertiser Staff

A national search for young athletes who hope of becoming USA luge riders will stop this weekend in Hawai'i Kai and an official said registration for the event is still open.

The Verizon-USA Luge Slider Search is the official recruitment tour of USA Luge that targets youngsters ages 10-14. The mission of the program is to identify, train and qualify young athletes for the USA Luge Junior Development Team.

The event takes place tomorrow and Sunday at Koko Head District Park from 9 a.m. to noon, and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., on both days.

"We're still hoping to get people to sign up," said Verizon spokeswoman Ann Nishida, who added about 20 youngsters have registered so far. "We can accommodate 80."

Hawai'i is the final stop of the event's 2002 summer schedule and follows stops in Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana, Wisconsin and California. Ninety percent of the U.S. Junior National Team was recruited though the national search.

At the event, youngsters learn the basics of riding a luge sled from USA Luge Olympic and National Team athletes and coaches, including position, steering and stopping. Once these skills are developed, they make several runs down a paved luge course on wheel-equipped luge sleds. Finally, athletes assess their physical skills through a battery of fitness tests.

Those who show promise in the summer program are invited to Lake Placid, N.Y., Park City, Utah, or Marquette, Mich., to try to luge on ice at a USA Luge training complex. The top athletes from this group are selected for the next year's development team.

To register, call (800) USA-LUGE (872-5843). Registration is $15. Riders should wear a comfortable pair of pants and sneakers. USA Luge will provide the sled and helmet.