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Ukrainian Luge Team
During the week of January 19-26, our domivka was home to the Junior Luge Team of Ukraine. The young athletes and their trainers arrived
in Calgary for the final competition of the Junior World Luge Cup from USA on Saturday January 19.
On Sunday, our long-time good friend and Merited Trainer of Ukraine, Volodymyr Vakhrushev, lead the athletes through the luge tracks at
Canada Olympic Park to help them get acquainted with these tracks. While some of the paperwork required for the safe use of the luge
tracks was being taken care of, sumivka Andrea showed our Ukrainian guests around Calgary's Olympic Park.
The luge team spent many hours at the luge tracks, learning each curve and turn in the technically challenging tracks. Although it was
not extremely cold, the wind factor made this even more challenging.
On return to the Domivka, they were greeted by the warm atmosphere of our youngest sumenyatko Marichka's birthday.
The following days were busy with training sessions. The evenings allowed the athletes to unwind and enjoy some computer games provided by
our young-techno Danylo.
The competition on January 24 took place late in the day. Maryna competed first in the Women's category. Her results in Calgary put her in
the top 10 best women lugers.
Then for the Men's Doubles it was Taras and Roman. They placed 4th in the Calgary competiton, but in the overall results of all 6 phases
of the competitons, they won Bronze for third place. As Calgary was the final leg of this World Cup, we were witness to their receiving
their bronze medals. We were very proud when, during the awards, the Ukrainian flag was raised alongside the other victors.
Unfortunately on Friday, Andriy was not able to join his teammates in receiving an award for the Men's Singles.
That same evening, the Ukrainian community gathered at the domivka to congratulate the athletes, to say our farewells and to wish them many
more successes in future competitions.
The team leader of the Ukrainian delegation, Yuriy Sobota, spoke of the preparations, accomplishments and future plans of these athletes.
He thanked the members of the League of Ukrainian Women in Canada as well as Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) for organizing their stay in
Calgary and for all the support given to their team. Everyone who was present received a small souvenir from Ukraine.
As a memento of their stay in Calgary, the Ukrainian athletes also received some souvenirs.
On January 26, the Ukrainian Luge team left for Lake Placid for their next competition, the Junior World Championships in Lake Placid.
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