LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) β Olympic bronze medalist Erin Hamlin has a sizable lead halfway through the USA Luge women’s national championships, and veteran slider Chris Mazdzer holds a dominant edge after the first two runs of the men’s title series.
Hamlin finished two runs Saturday morning in 1 minute, 29.063 seconds, to lead the women’s field by 0.158 seconds over Summer Britcher and 0.172 seconds over Emily Sweeney.
Mazdzer’s combined time was 1:43.390, putting him 0.335 seconds ahead of Tucker West. Aidan Kelly is in third, about a full second off Mazdzer’s pace.
The national champions for men’s, women’s and doubles will be crowned Sunday, when USA Luge will also reveal its World Cup team to open the season. Hamlin, Mazdzer and Julia Clukey have already secured spots on that roster.
