Women’s Doubles Luge Makes Olympic Debut in Cortina, Team USA Finishes Fifth

Women’s doubles luge officially became part of Olympic history Wednesday at the Milan Cortina Games, as the event made its long-awaited debut in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

Prior to 2026, the doubles luge competition at the Olympics was technically open to both men and women. However, no women ever competed in the event at the Games. That changed this year, as separate men’s and women’s doubles competitions were introduced for the first time.

Representing the United States were Chevonne Forgan of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and Sophia Kirkby of Ray Brook, New York. The duo entered the Olympics as two-time World Championship bronze medalists in women’s doubles, earning podium finishes in 2022 and 2024.

Forgan and Kirkby made history as the first athletes to take an official Olympic run in women’s doubles luge. In their opening run, the Americans clocked a time of 53.570 seconds, placing fifth after the first heat.

Despite a few small bobbles that cost them speed during the competition, the U.S. pair delivered a strong overall performance. They ultimately finished fifth overall, narrowly missing the podium in a competitive field.

Winning gold on home ice were Italy’s Andrea Voetter and Marion Oberhofer, who posted the two fastest runs of the event. The crowd in Cortina erupted in celebration as the Italian team captured gold in the inaugural Olympic women’s doubles luge competition.

Courtesy: NBC Olympics