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Olympian explains unique skills required to compete in luge
| USA | general

Olympian explains unique skills required to compete in luge

#Jonathan Gustafson #Luge #2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics #Team USA #USA Luge

📌 Key Takeaways

  • Jonathan Gustafson will compete in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, representing Team USA in men's single luge.
  • Luge is the fastest sport on ice, requiring precision and split-second decisions to navigate tracks at speeds up to 90 mph.
  • Gustafson discovered luge at 11 through USA Luge's slider search program and has been competing for 16 years.
  • Micro-movements and subtle adjustments are crucial in luge, impacting the sled's performance and race outcomes.
  • USA Luge aims to win its first gold medal at the 2026 Olympics and promotes the sport through its facility in Lake Placid.

📖 Full Retelling

Olympic luger Jonathan Gustafson, representing Team USA, shared his insights on the unique skills required to compete in luge as he prepares to participate in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Gustafson, who discovered his passion for the sport at the age of 11, will be competing in his second Winter Olympics, having previously represented the U.S. in the 2022 Beijing Games. Luge, known as the fastest sport on ice, demands precision and split-second decisions, with athletes reaching speeds of up to 90 miles per hour on ice-covered tracks. Gustafson emphasized the importance of micro-movements, such as shoulder adjustments and slight lifts, which can significantly impact the sled's performance. These subtle actions help athletes navigate turns and straightaways more effectively, ultimately determining the outcome of the race. Gustafson's journey in luge began through USA Luge's slider search program, a national recruitment initiative that introduced him to the sport. His parents, initially unaware of the commitment involved, supported his interest, leading to a 16-year career in the sport. Gustafson highlighted the intensity of luge, noting that each run lasts only 40 to 60 seconds, during which athletes experience high speeds and intense g-forces. Despite the brevity of each run, the sport's thrill and challenge continue to captivate him. USA Luge is actively working to promote and grow the sport, with a team of 11 athletes aiming to win the organization's first-ever gold medal at the upcoming Olympics. The organization's facility in Lake Placid, New York, offers visitors the opportunity to experience luge firsthand on an indoor track, providing a glimpse into the sport's demands and excitement.

🐦 Character Reactions (Tweets)

Dave the Luge Enthusiast

Micro-movements? I can barely micro-manage my online shopping cart! 🛒💨 #LugeLife

Sledding Skeptic

So you're telling me I can reach 90 mph by lying on a sled? Sign me up, but only if there’s hot cocoa at the end! ☕️❄️ #OlympicDreams

Chillin' on Ice

Jonathan's luge skills are impressive, but let’s see if he can navigate my Netflix queue at 90 mph! 🎬😂 #ThrillingDecisions

Olympic Observer

Nothing screams 'high-stakes sport' like losing your lunch at 90 mph while adjusting your shoulders. 🍕💨 #LugeDrama

💬 Character Dialogue

sub_zero: Luge demands precision akin to a perfectly timed ice attack. Honor and discipline guide the athlete, much like the way I pursue my rivals.
darth_vader: In the dark corridors of fate, athletes like Gustafson dance on the edge of speed and destiny, where every micro-movement could determine victory or defeat.
ken_kaneki: You talk about precision like it’s a life or death situation, but what if the real monster is the one who pushes you down that icy track to begin with?
sub_zero: Life is a race against death. Embrace the cold embrace of defeat if you must; honor is your guide.
darth_vader: And in the end, only those who embrace the Power will rise. Luge, a mere distraction from the true battleground of existence.

🏷️ Themes

Sports, Olympics, Luge, Athletic Training

📚 Related People & Topics

Luge

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Jonathan Gustafson

Jonathan Gustafson

American luger (born 1997)

Jonathan "Jonny" Gustafson (born March 5, 1997) is an American luger who competes internationally. He represented his country in the men's singles event at the 2022 Winter Olympics where placed 19th.

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🔗 Entity Intersection Graph

Connections for Luge:

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📄 Original Source Content
CBS Mornings Olympic luger Jonathan Gustafson explains the unique skills required to compete in the fastest sport on ice By Adriana Diaz Adriana Diaz Co-host, "CBS Saturday Morning" and "CBS News 24/7 Mornings" Adriana Diaz is a co-host of "CBS Saturday Morning" and "CBS News 24/7 Mornings" on CBS News 24/7, CBS News' national free streaming news network. Read Full Bio Adriana Diaz Updated on: February 6, 2026 / 9:27 AM EST / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Blink and you might miss it. Luge is the fastest sport on ice, where milliseconds matter. So every push, every paddle and every turn is critical. Athletes like Team USA's Jonathan Gustafson race down an ice-covered track at speeds that can top 90 miles an hour — no seat belts or brakes. The fastest time wins. "I would describe luge as really just extreme sledding. Like anything any kid does when they're younger, get that plastic tube and down a hill. We're pretty similar to that, just a lot more advanced," Gustafson told "CBS Mornings." Gustafson will compete in the men's single luge at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Saturday, his second time competing in the winter games. He last competed in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. "I think most people see luge and they're like, 'Oh, they just kinda lie there,'" the 28-year-old athlete said. "There's a lot of training that goes into it, and a lot you're doing." Gustafson said small movements, such as pushing your shoulder into the sled and lifting slightly, could make a difference. "All the micro movements that you do will turn the sled and make it just ever so slightly, either a little better, a little worse, a little earlier, later into curves or in straightaways," he said. Discovering his love for luge Gustafson said he discovered the sport through USA Luge's slider search, a national recruitment program, and fell in love with it at 11 years old. "One of my friends was doing it and he told me about it and I asked my parents if we could go," Gustafson ...

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