Monday, February 26, 2001
Luge Canada in a slippery situation
By KAREN CLARK -- Calgary Sun
Luge Canada has some tough choices to make down the road -- or you might say, down the track.
For the first time in the history of the sport, Canada has more lugers qualified for the Olympics than spots allowed per country.
Calgary's Jeff Christie and Kyle Connelly brought about that scenario yesterday by coming 16th and 17th in the men's event at the 35th World Luge Championships at Canada Olympic Park.
With teammates and fellow Calgarians Tyler Seitz, who came 14th at 1:31.250, and Chris Moffat, who didn't compete in the men's event, having already met the COA's criteria, Christie's 1:31.317 and Connelly's 1:31.578 means four lugers are qualified for three Olympic spots.
Luge Canada now faces the predicament of choosing which of four worthy candidates gets the nod.
"It's the first time we've had this happen," said Tim Farstad, program co-ordinator for the Olympic Luge Training Centre.
But Christie and Connelly didn't seem too concerned about when, where or how the final decision would be made. The sliders were content to bask in the glow of knowing they're one step away from making an Olympic dream come true.
"This is such a great feeling," said Connelly, 20. "At the end of the race, I was trying to look for the time and when I saw it, I was like, oh yeah!"
Connelly's berth did not come as a huge surprise as the slider is ranked No. 22 in the World Cup standings. But for Christie, who's ranked No. 41, the result was a little shocking.
Christie also set a new Canadian track record, clocking a 45.520 on the first run. And having the fastest national time is a new situation for the first-year senior.
"I've always been the last Canadian, last off, last in the rankings, last everywhere," said Christie. "This is the best result I've ever had."
While two Canucks were overcome with happiness, two other sliders had to contend with disappointment. Calgary's Mike Moffat missed becoming the fifth luger to meet Canada's Olympic berth criteria in men's singles by only .09.
"It wasn't my day," said Mike Moffat, who came 19th at 1:31.820.
"This hurts, but I am really happy for Kyle, he deserves it."
Mike Moffat will still be wearing the Maple Leaf skin suit in 2002 as he's qualified in the doubles with driver Grant Albrecht.
While Seitz had Canada's best finish in the men's competition, the 1998 Olympian and Canada's best podium threat was not happy with 14th spot.
As well as Calgarians Seitz, Chris and Mike Moffat, Christie, Connelly and Albrecht making the Olympic team, Airdrie's Eric Pothier is qualified in doubles, and Regan Lauscher of Red Deer has earned a berth in the women's event.
In the winner's circle, Italy's Armin Zoggeler managed to prevent Germany from taking the gold in all four events -- team, doubles, women's and men's -- over the weekend. Three-time German Olympic champ Georg Hackl took the silver at 1:30.485. Austria's Markus Prock came back from a sixth-place first run to come third overall at 1:30.766.
2002 Games Luge Coverage
