As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, athletes, including U.S. women's doubles luge competitors Chevonne Forgan and Sophia Kirkby, test the newly rebuilt sliding track in Cortina, Italy.
This week, Olympic athletes are testing the newly rebuilt sliding track in Cortina, Italy, in preparation for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Among the 58 international athletes, USA Luge’s women’s doubles team, Chevonne Forgan and Lake Placid’s Sophia Kirkby, are the only U.S. representatives to participate in the testing. Kirkby expressed excitement about the opportunity, noting that the testing would help them better prepare for the upcoming Olympics by learning to navigate the new track and its unique lines. The new track will host the women's doubles luge event, which is being introduced for the first time at the 2026 Games. If the track doesn't pass inspection, Lake Placid has been designated as the backup location for the luge, bobsled, and skeleton events.