First victory at a favourite track: Forgan/Kirkby win in Lillehammer

Lillehammer (FIL/30.11.2024) After a break of almost five years, Lillehammer once again welcomed the participants in the EBERSPAECHER Luge World Cup. Because there was no women's doubles competition back then, all the participants were competing in the World Cup for the first time. Chevonne Chelsea Forgan and Sophia Kirkby took advantage of this. The two US lugers set the first round track record of 47.406 seconds, laying the foundation for their first World Cup victory. In heat two, they clocked the second-fastest time of 47.523 seconds. The time of 1:34.929 minutes could not be beaten by the German double Jessica Degenhardt/Cheyenne Rosenthal despite the fastest time in heat two (47.501). They were still satisfied with a deficit of 17 hundredths of a second. ‘We had two solid runs, set a starting record in 2.344 seconds, so you can start the season like that,’ said front woman Degenhardt.

Forgan and Kirkby were exuberant at the finish. ‘Lillehammer is one of our favourite tracks. We love to race here,’ said Forgan, ‘to achieve our first World Cup victory here, and with our first track record, is something special.’ Their secret of success: ‘We tried to lie relaxed on the sled, because then we are fast.’ Kirkby also had an emotional reaction: ‘I dedicate this victory to my father, who died in the summer. He would have been so proud.’

A great, strong result made the Latvian coaches proud. Marta Robezniece/Kitija Bogdanova (0.490 seconds back) finished third, ahead of the stronger-rated Anda Upite/Zane Kaluma (0.573). Andrea Vötter and Marion Oberhofer (Italy) came in fifth. Last year's overall World Cup winners were 0.608 seconds slower than the winners Forgan/Kirkby. After a big mistake in the first run, Selina Egle and Lara Kipp were able to improve to sixth place (1.427).

Detailed results and further information on the 1st EBERSPÄCHER Luge World Cup 2024/2025 in Lillehammer are available at the following link:

Further schedule

1st EBERSPÄCHER Luge World Cup, Lillehammer (NOR)

Local start time (CET/CET)

Saturday, 30 November 2024

10:55 a.m. Women's single, 1st run
12:18 p.m. Women's single, 2nd run

1:42 p.m. Men's double, 1st run
14:56 hrs Men's Doubles, 2nd run

Sunday, 01 December 2024

09:30 hrs Men's Singles, 1st run
10:55 hrs Men's Singles, 2nd run

12:10 hrs Mixed Doubles
13:15 hrs Mixed Singles