Sports

CT's Tucker West to Compete in Luge at Sochi Olympics

At 18, the Connecticut man is the youngest ever to qualify for an American Olympic luge squad.

At 18, Tucker West of Ridgefield is the youngest man ever to qualify for an American luge squad in the Olympics.

A freshman at Union College in Schenectady, NY, here’s what West said moments after qualifying for the Sochi games in an interview posted Dec. 20 (see video, above): “I’m humbled and honored to be able to represent Team USA. I put in a lot of work for this and I really hope I can be a good representative for the country.”

Men’s luge will be broadcast according to the following schedule from NBC:

Find out what's happening in Naugatuckwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • 12 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8 (singles competition, NBC)
  • 8:30-10 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9 (singles competition , NBCSN)
  • 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9 (men’s singles gold medal final, NBC)
  • 12:05-1:05 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12 (gold medal final runs, NBC)
  • 2-3 p.m. on Wedneday, Feb. 12 (gold medal final runs, NBCSN)
  • 12:05-1:05 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13 (team relay gold medal final runs, NBC)

West says in his Olympics website profile that his father Brett build him a backyard luge track after he was inspired following the Winter Games in Turin in 2006.

Though Sochi is West’s first Olympic games, he’s an accomplished athlete in the sport, with a 2013 Junior World Cup team bronze medal and 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games team relay gold medal under his belt.

Find out what's happening in Naugatuckwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Here’s what he says on making the team, according to the luge team website: "It's a good feeling. Back in middle school, people would ask me, 'When are you going to make the Olympics?' And I said, 'I'll shoot for 2018.' It's a big surprise."

Other Olympic luge athletes from the tri-state area (full roster here) include: 

Women's team

  • Erin Hamlin of Remsen, NY

Men's team

  • Aidan Kelly of West Islip, NY
  • Chris Mazdzer of Saranac Lake, NY
  • Matt Mortensen of Huntington Station, NY

West joins a host of fellow Connecticut residents competing in Sochi, including members of the USA hockey and ski teams.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here