Canada Sweeps U.S. in Can-Am Junior Luge Championship
The strength and depth of Canada's Luge Developmental program was demonstrated today as Canada swept the podium in Junior Men and Junior Women competition at the Junior Can-Am Championships at Canada Olympic Park. Canadian athletes in the Olympic Luge developmental program went up against their U.S.A. counterparts in junior men, women and doubles competition.Matt McMurray, age 16, re-bounded from a head injury in a training run earlier this season to win the gold in the Junior Mens category with fellow Calgarians Mike Lane and Marshall Savill winning silver and bronze. McMurray qualified for the Canadian Junior National Team, presently competing in Europe, however was still recovering from his October 24 crash when the team departed Calgary November 10. Best finish for the USA in the Junior Mens category was fourth.
Canada also bested the U.S.A. in Junior Women's competition with Lindsay Danforth, Caitlin Blundell, Amanda Byrne and Monica Gorham, all of Calgary, having the four fastest times.
The U.S. team made the podium in doubles competition with the USA's Josh Alcorn and Blaine Baldwin beating Canada's doubles team entry of Marshal Savill and Winston Davis.
Canadian Luge Program Coordinator, Tim Farstad, commented on today's results, "Our developmental athletes demonstrated today that our program has a lot of talent coming up through the ranks. These athletes, along with those already competing at the World Cup level, have other countries finally taking notice of Canada's Olympic luge program."
Complete results for the Can-Am Junior Championship along with athlete photos and biographical information can be found at www.luge.ca
For more information or if transmission difficulties contact:
Tim Farstad, CLA-OLTC, 403-247-9884 tfarstad@coda.ab.ca
Web site: www.luge.ca