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Chris Mazdzer, center, kisses his wife Mara while holding his son Nikolai during the FIL Bobsled World Cup in Lake Placid on December 8. (News photo – Parker O’Brien)
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Chris Mazdzer’s family became emotional after watching him finish his second run in the men’s individual luge during the FIL Luge World Cup in Lake Placid on Dec. 8. Pictured from left are Sarah Mazdzer, Marty Luther, Audra Mazdzer and Ed Mazdzer. (News photo — Parker O’Brien)
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Chris Mazdzer’s family became emotional after watching him finish his second run in the men’s individual luge during the FIL Luge World Cup in Lake Placid on Dec. 8. Pictured from left are Sarah Mazdzer, Marty Luther, Audra Mazdzer and Ed Mazdzer. (News photo — Parker O’Brien)
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Chris Mazdzer’s family became emotional after watching him finish his second run in the men’s individual luge during the FIL Luge World Cup in Lake Placid on Dec. 8. Pictured from left are Sarah Mazdzer, Marty Luther, Audra Mazdzer and Ed Mazdzer. (News photo — Parker O’Brien)
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Chris Mazdzer dances with his son Nikolai during the FIL Bobsled World Cup in Lake Placid on December 8. Mazdzer’s wife, Mara, also appears in the photo. (News photo — Parker O’Brien)
Chris Mazdzer, center, kisses his wife Mara while holding his son Nikolai during the FIL Bobsled World Cup in Lake Placid on December 8. (News photo – Parker O’Brien)
LAKE PLACID — U.S. Olympian Chris Mazdzer spent most of Dec. 2 working on his sled at the USA Luge Training Facility.
“It’s the thing that no one sees.” He said.
The four-time Olympian and 2018 silver medalist who grew up in Saranac Lake spent countless hours repairing his skis, but this was one of the last times he spent trying to perfect it.
Mazdzer (35 years old) retired from sports after the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup in Lake Placid on December 9.
He wants to spend more time with his wife Mara and two-year-old son Nikolai instead of traveling on the ice. And with another baby on the way, Mazdzer says it’s a good time to hang up the sled.
Chris Mazdzer’s family became emotional after watching him finish his second run in the men’s individual luge during the FIL Luge World Cup in Lake Placid on Dec. 8. Pictured from left are Sarah Mazdzer, Marty Luther, Audra Mazdzer and Ed Mazdzer. (News photo — Parker O’Brien)
“We are expecting our second baby in April, and it has become very difficult in that sense because I want to go home.” He said. “My son — no one has ever taught him to fold his arms and get upset — but when I talk to him on Facetime, he’s upset that I’m gone, and I understand that.”
Mazdzer also started working at a new job outside of Salt Lake City, Utah, where he currently lives. Although he originally planned to compete in the World Championships this season, it quickly became clear that he couldn’t do it all.
“I can’t put in the time it takes to be an exceptional athlete and have a job and have a family.” He said. “Something had to give, and honestly, looking back, I’ve had a great career, and I’ve had a bunch of amazing life experiences. I think this is the way to do it. Let’s go out at home.”
Mazdzer made the decision to step away from competing in luge a few weeks ago, and since that decision, he feels better about it with each growing day.
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Chris Mazdzer’s family became emotional after watching him finish his second run in the men’s individual luge during the FIL Luge World Cup in Lake Placid on Dec. 8. Pictured from left are Sarah Mazdzer, Marty Luther, Audra Mazdzer and Ed Mazdzer. (News photo — Parker O’Brien)
Silver medal champion
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Mazdzer had never been so nervous before winning his silver medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
He clearly remembers how cold it was – somewhere around -2 or -3 degrees with a chilly wind.
“All the other competitors – you could tell they were nervous because the track conditions were very difficult.” Madzzer said. “But I grew up in Saranac Lake and trained in Lake Placid, and that’s the case every winter. It just felt like home.”
Chris Mazdzer dances with his son Nikolai during the FIL Bobsled World Cup in Lake Placid on December 8. Mazdzer’s wife, Mara, also appears in the photo. (News photo — Parker O’Brien)
Standing atop the Olympic sliding position in 2018, Mazdzer was in a unique position, claiming a spot on the podium after just one final run. Up to that point, no American singles player had won a medal at the Olympic Games.
In the heat of the press, Mazdzer pushed onto the bars and flashed a small but noticeable smile before pulling off the track.
“I knew I had it” He said. “I didn’t even mean to smile. This is not what a normal game face should be.
Mazdzer said he knows he has all the support behind him.
“Even if I failed, I had friends and family who would catch me if I fell.” He said. “That was the greatest moment of my career.”
Just months ago, Madzzer appeared to have hit rock bottom, with disappointing results at World Cup level, a year after finishing third in the World Cup standings.
“Even though I give 100% sometimes, I will only get 10% back in terms of results.” He said.
But the lackluster results did not dampen his motivation; Instead, it forced him to work harder.
“That was probably one of the best things for me as a person during those two years as I finished third overall in the world and felt like I was at the top.” He said. “It made me realize that luge was what I did and was not who I was. As an athlete, I was able to separate my emotional feelings and confidence from the results and focused more on the process.
Mazdzer spent hours working on his sled. He needed better equipment but didn’t get enough financing, so he sold his car.
“My girlfriend — now wife — was like, ‘You can live with me until you can get back on your feet.’” He said. “I was going home broke without a car and trying to figure out how to start my life with just a bike with my name on it, and I was OK with that. It allowed me to compete in the (2018) Olympics because I was comfortable with who I was.”
When he finally crossed the finish line, Madzzer threw his fist in the air and snatched an American flag from his family and friends in the stands. He finished the race just 0.026 seconds behind Austria’s David Glercher, who won the gold medal. But for Mazdzer, the color of the medal did not matter at that moment.
“(When) I got an Olympic medal, it didn’t change me.” He said. “It changed what I could do.”
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Face USA Luge
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When he was 17, Madzzer watched his hopes of making his first Olympics fade away when he was beaten by then-American teammate John Miles in a race for the final men’s singles spot at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.
It was painful at the time, but Madzzer, who had only played in two World Cups at senior level at the time, still had a bright future ahead of him.
Even Miles knew Mazdzer would achieve greatness. He said in 2005 that people would be familiar with his name for years to come.
Years before that moment, Mazdzer was just a young kid living in Massachusetts when he first found his love for skating.
After his family moved to the Plattsburgh area when he was eight, his parents took him to Lake Placid to try out bobsledding. But an impatient Mazdzer noticed that the line for luge was much shorter, so he tried that instead and was trapped almost immediately.
His parents, Dr. Ed Mazdzer and Marty Luthers, moved to Saranac Lake to help him take up the sport, and at 13, he went to Europe for the first time on the junior circuit.
Mazdzer said he really developed as a professional athlete during the 2005-06 season.
“The year before, I didn’t think it was possible and I really dedicated myself to the sport and training.” He said. “I’ve seen results from that and it’s really motivating as an athlete.”
He qualified for his first Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 2010, where he finished 13th overall. Four years later, he recorded the same 13th place at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, before winning silver at the 2018 Games.
His historic achievement catapulted him to national fame, which included appearances on television “Dancing with the Stars,” He finished fourth overall, ahead of NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and former MLB star Johnny Damon. Mazdzer became the face of USA Luge.
After winning the silver medal, Mazdzer decided to mount another challenge before the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, by also competing in the pair luge alongside Jason Terdiman.
But things didn’t go smoothly when Madzzer suffered a broken foot on the second day of the season, and the addition of new equipment set the duo back.
“I lost a lot of time testing and building. The whole World Cup season was a test and a fall (and then) a test and a crash. Madzzer said.
With one shot at making it to the 2022 Olympics, the pair competed against other American women’s doubles sledders for the lone doubles spot. But tragedy struck when Mazdzer and Terdiman crashed in the final round.
“We were far ahead, we made a simple mistake and that was it.” Madzzer said. “That was our only shot. I felt very sorry for my teammate Jason Terdiman because he was with me and struggling all year.”
Even with an up-and-down season, Madzzer managed to secure an eighth-place finish at the Olympics in men’s singles. He once again had the best time among all American skaters.
“You gave an absolutely amazing performance.” He said. “I made some strong runs, and I couldn’t have done anything better. I know I left it all out there.”
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Next chapter
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Mazdzer doesn’t really want to think of it as retirement. Instead, it is more than “transition.” He still plans to continue his involvement in the sport, serving as a representative for the USAF Commission.
“When you do this for 25 years, it’s hard to walk away.” He said. “I’m going to have to figure out how to not devote so much time to this.”
In October, Mazdzer started working at a technology company called BambooHR, which provides HR software as a service.
“I do technology sales for them, and I have a great team.” He said. “It’s nice to be part of something that’s so demanding. I’m really enjoying working with the people on my team now because it’s a completely different skill set, and in that sense, I feel like I’m learning all over again, which is nice. The next step for me is to be there with my family And I’m excited about that.
Family has always played a big role in Mazdzer’s career. His family’s cheering section has often been one of the loudest on the track at past Olympics and World Cups.
“Win, lose or fall, they were with me 100%.” He said. “I have friends who made it to all the Olympics they could have already participated in, but they couldn’t make it to China (in 2022).”
Mazdzer also credits his coaches, teammates and friends for his success in his career.
“The world sees me running a 45-second track at the Olympics, but they don’t get to know my huge support crew of coaches, families, friends and even my teammates.” He said. “We all help each other out. There are a lot of things that go into every race that a lot of people don’t see. We’re all team players here.”
While Mazdzer competed for the last time on Dec. 9 during the Luge World Cup, he said he wants people to remember him for his passion for the sport and hopes that when people in the United States hear about luge, they now know what it is.
“I think the best legacy I will leave behind is that I have developed awareness of the sport and as an athlete.” He said. “I tried to make this sport a better place for the athletes.”
It is with mixed emotions that the community bids farewell to local Olympian [Name], who has announced his retirement after a successful World Cup career. The accomplished athlete has represented our town on the world stage, bringing pride and inspiration to all of us. His dedication and passion for the sport have left a lasting impact, and we look forward to celebrating his impressive accomplishments as he embarks on the next chapter of his journey.