LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) — The U.S. luge team takes to the ice Saturday for the team’s annual indoor start championships without three-time Olympian Tony Benshoof.
Benshoof has taken an indefinite leave from the national team to be with his ailing mother in White Bear Lake, Minn. Team officials say he could miss the first half of the season, which starts at Igls, Austria, in late November.
Two-time Olympian and 2009 world champion Erin Hamlin of Remsen, N.Y., leads the women’s contingent. She’ll compete against Julia Clukey, Ashley Walden, Emily Sweeney and Kate Hansen.
Chris Mazdzer, Bengt Walden, Joe Mortensen and Robby Huerbin will compete on the men’s side, while Matt Mortensen and Preston Griffall contend for top honors in doubles. Shane Hook and Zach Clark also will compete in doubles, as will Christian Niccum and new partner Jayson Terdiman.
The team is scheduled to begin sliding at Mount Van Hoevenberg on Oct. 15.
