Bell Atlantic Junior Luge Series Rolls Into Ashland, Mass., July 24-25

Bell Atlantic Junior Luge Series Rolls
Into Ashland, Mass., July 24-25

Call 1-800-USA Luge to Reserve A Spot

July 8, 1999

BOSTON --The Bell Atlantic Junior Luge Series rolls into
Ashland, Mass., July 24-25, affording youngsters with
Olympic aspirations an opportunity to experience the thrill
of the sport and to train with coaches and members of the
United States Luge Team.

During a series of three-hour clinics slated for 9 a.m. to
noon and 2 to 5 p.m. along Main Street (between Route 135
and Chestnut Street) in Ashland, boys and girls, ages 10-
14, will learn the fundamentals of luge racing at slow
speeds as they roll down a paved roadway atop sleds on
wheels. The $15 entry fee includes a souvenir tee shirt.

USA Luge officials view the Bell Atlantic Junior Luge
Series as the primary means of recruitment for a national
program whose athletes captured silver and bronze medals
during last year's Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan.

The United States Luge Association's traveling luge ramp
will be used during the clinics. Youngsters will learn
about properly positioning themselves on the sled, accurate
steering, slowing the sled and bringing it to a stop. The
sessions also include a fun race and moderate physical
testing to gauge the youngsters' athletic ability.

The best athletes discovered at these and other clinics to
be held this summer throughout Bell Atlantic's Northeast
and mid-Atlantic region will be invited to train on ice
next winter. They also will be considered for the 2000-
2001 United States Luge Association's Junior Development
Team.

Olympic Bronze Medalist Brian Martin is a graduate of the
1987 Junior Luge Series. Nearly all members of the current
Junior National Team were discovered through this program
and have progressed to the level of international luge
racing.

Anyone interested in attending a clinic at SUNY Old Westbury is invited
to call 1-800-USA LUGE.

For more information, visit www.usaluge.org or
www.bellatlantic.com/usaluge on
the Internet.

In the spirit of the Olympic movement, the United States
Luge Association seeks to provide for the achievement of
excellence in the sport of luge, with the highest degree of
sportsmanship and victory as the standards. The United
States Luge Association endeavors to recruit, develop,
train and support dedicated athletes so they may represent
themselves and the United States of America, with honor, in
all luge competitions.

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