New Zealand's Maggie Dowling eyes Gangwon 2024
Lillehammer (FIL/27 Nov 2023) Maggie Dowling is throwing down the hammer on a global adventure to represent New Zealand at Gangwon 2024, the first Youth Olympic Games in Asia.
Her dream is in sight after a bumpy start, with missed flights, illness, homesickness, language issues on top of the high physical and emotional demands of luge.
"Emotions have been high, my body is hurting - it’s the first time I’ve ever been on my own so far away from home, and I'm getting to know a whole new world with everything a bit different to New Zealand,” explained Dowling, who started out in luge on the natural track at Naseby on New Zealand’s South Island.
But coming from a town with the catchphrase "2000 feet above worry level", it is no surprise that Dowling is finding the strength to pursue her Youth Olympic Games dreams.
Since completing FIL Luge School with flying colours, Dowling has trained in Lillehammer (Norway), a week in Sigulda (Latvia), a week in Oberhof (Germany) - her speeds are getting faster and her lines more consistent.
Now, she is back in Lillehammer facing the countdown to the first qualifying races for Gangwon 2024 starting on 26 November with four races in Germany on the program - two in Winterberg and two in Oberhof.
“I am very happy with Maggie’s luge runs. She's very intelligent, takes in our instructions well and has integrated brilliantly into the team,” said coach Bogdan Macovei.
Natural to Artificial track - the transition
The step from Naseby’s flat natural track to the European ice tracks with banks and steep curves has been a real eye opener.
"It was a big change for me, because the track in Naseby in New Zealand is a natural track and 360 metres long - here the tracks are artificially iced Olympic and World Championship tracks. They’re faster, longer and require different technique and movement,” explained Dowling.
With her speeds getting faster and her lines more consistent, her big dream is taking shape: “I feel good now, I've improved a lot and my confidence has grown.”
Childhood dream - special Naseby connection
"I first heard about luge when I was three years old. I used to watch my brother and mother luge in Naseby and one of the coaches, the two-times Olympian Guntis Rekis from Latvia, took me down the track on a sled. My father also helped build the luge track in Naseby, so I have a certain family connection to this track, which is just five kilometres from my home - my family have spent a lot of time there ice skating, curling and with luge.
“When I was seven years old, I started sledding with my cousins during winter vacations - as I got older and understood the sport better, I became more competitive and wanted to be the fastest on the luge track.”
Support
Dowling credits her supporters for her success so far: “The New Zealand competitors really support you and help you achieve your goals.
"Geoff Balme [President - New Zealand Luge Association] has been my biggest supporter and what he is doing for Naseby and the sport of luge in New Zealand is incredible. I really appreciate the time and effort he has put in to get me to Europe. I can't thank him enough for this opportunity. I'm also grateful to all the other coaches Geoff has brought to New Zealand to help other athletes like me for their support and for believing in me.
"I admire Jack Lesile and Flyn Coburn, both New Zealanders who raced natural track in Europe. They gave me the confidence to come here and compete, even though they have a different style of racing. They have always given me advice and made me feel that I can achieve my goals."
In September 2023, US aerospace company Leolabs also announced its support for Dowling whose family farm is home to a Leolabs radar facility, part of a global radar network that detects small satellites and space debris to ensure safe and sustainable operations in space: “Our support reflects the great working relationship we have with the Dowling family and gives us the opportunity to support the local community where the only ice luge rink in the Southern Hemisphere is located."
#LugeLove
"I love luge because it's so different to other sports,” concluded Dowling. “I'm looking for a bit of a thrill. I need the speed and love the rush and the adrenaline it gives me. I have to concentrate a lot because I only have a short window of time to think about what I need to do in each corner. But above all, I enjoy the sport and the feeling of having won a race.”
She hopes to take this spirit to Gangwon 2024: "I am very proud and honoured to represent New Zealand here in Europe. It's an incredible feeling and it's also great to meet people from other countries. It will be an honour to representant New Zealand at the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in Asia.”
The Winter Youth Olympic Games take place every four years and are an international sports, educational and cultural festival for young people between the ages of 15 and 18. The fourth edition will take place from January 19 to February 2, 2024 in Gangwon, South Korea, with 1,900 athletes from 70 countries.
The luge competitions will be held at the Alpensia Sliding Center in Pyeongchang, the venue of the 2018 Winter Olympics.
