Luge

Simkin medals at USA Luge Youth Championships

LAKE PLACID, NY — Vincent (Vinny) Simkin, a sixth grade student at Sullivan West, competed in the USA Luge Youth B Championship on Sunday, February 27 at the Verizon Sports Complex. He took the third place, bronze metal with a combined time of 1:38.475 in two runs. Simkin has been participating in luge for two seasons.

After his performance in the Verizon Slider Search last winter, he was invited to attend a screening camp sponsored by USA Luge. He spent a week at the Verizon/USA Luge Training Complex where he learned to slide on the luge track and developed the skills necessary to complete in the sport. Subsequently, Simkin joined the Adirondack Luge Club. After another strong performance in the Slider Search, he was again invited to the screening camp.

Simkin qualified to participate in the Youth National Championship. His division, Youth B, is for athletes ages 11-14. There were 16 sliders in Youth B Men’s Singles.

Based on his performance in the Youth National Championship, he was invited to attend the final screening camp this past March 14 for selection to the USA Luge Development Team, the official first step toward the Olympic team.