A young athlete from Whitehorse has garnered the interest of Luge Canada. Kody Strand, aged 15, has made history as the first Yukoner to be selected among the Top 100 athletes identified by RBC Training Ground, an initiative by the Canadian Olympic Committee to scout for talent.
During RBC Training Ground’s visit to Whitehorse earlier this year, Strand participated in the official qualifier event organized by the Canadian Olympic Committee. Initially signed up by his mother for fun, Strand expressed surprise at the outcome, stating they did not anticipate any significant results.
Attending Porter Creek Secondary School, where he actively engages in volleyball, Strand’s athletic abilities were assessed at the event through various strength and endurance tests, including the beep test. Ski jumping recruiters initially expressed interest, followed by Luge Canada reaching out to him.
Embracing luge, a sport he had not previously considered, Strand was taken aback by the unexpected turn of events but delighted with the opportunity. Describing luge as the fastest ice sport, Strand, an F1 enthusiast, found the adrenaline rush captivating.
The rigorous recruitment process saw over 3,000 athletes from diverse sports participating in qualifying events nationwide this year. Following the qualifier, Strand received an invitation to a training camp in Calgary, which is crucial for new recruits as described by Dania Obratov, the program coach and coordinator at Luge Canada.
Impressing the coaching staff during the camp, Strand was singled out for his potential and nominated among the top 100 athletes for the RBC Training Ground National Finals. Obratov highlighted Strand’s significance as the first luge athlete from the Yukon, emphasizing the need for extensive travel given that Whistler, B.C., houses the only operational track in the country.
In October, Strand is set to travel to Toronto for the national finals, where he will compete for funding, a spot in the national development program, and a faster track towards Olympic qualification. Expressing his commitment to continue pursuing luge, Strand looks forward to the upcoming opportunities in the sport.
