Chris Mazdzer waves to his family as he holds his son Nikolai during the men’s individual sprint at the FIL Luge World Cup in Lake Placid on December 8. (News photo – Parker O’Brien)
LAKE PLACID — With one final ride remaining in his career, Olympic athlete Chris Mazdzer stopped and gave a quick smile for the camera at the top of the Van Hoevenberg Mountain trail on Dec. 9.
The four-time Olympian and 2018 silver medalist who grew up in Saranac Lake rarely shows emotion before slipping up, but this was different.
Racing on his home track, the emotions got to Mazdzer right before his participation in the FIL Luge World Cup men’s individual sprint.
“I might have cried a little.” He said.
But within seconds, his face was back in action, sliding at more than 70 mph down the Mount Van Hoevenberg track. The 35-year-old crossed the finish line in front of his family, friends, Team USA teammates and staff cheering him on.
“To come out on top and to see both sides with friends and family was a powerful experience to share with everyone.” He said. “I couldn’t ask for a better place to be.”
Although Mazdzer did not have the best performance of his career, finishing 13th in the Men’s Individual Sprint World Cup, it was one of his most memorable.
Among those who greeted him were his wife Mara and son Nikolai, with whom Mazdzer plans to spend more time during his post-skating career. They traveled more than 2,000 miles from their home in Salt Lake City to see his last tour. Some of those who welcomed him had traveled hours to watch him race for the last time.
“It’s not easy to get to Lake Placid.” Madzzer said. “So people should really care, and a lot of people have come from a lot of places across the country for this, and it means a lot to me.”
Mazdzer’s mother, Marti Luthers, was the first person to hug her son after his final slide on the Van Hoevenberg Mountain trail. It was Luthers who brought her son to try skiing more than 25 years ago.
“I was just trying to find something to do for my fourth grader in the winter here because it was cold.” She said. “They had this big sled thing — it was a neighborhood thing — we were just trying to keep him busy and he loved it.”
Mazdzer competed in the World Cup for the first time in 2005 and quickly became the face of the USA Ski Team when he became the first men’s singles skier from the United States to win a medal at the Olympics, taking silver at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, in the south of the country. . Korea and the second medal in the history of the federation. Madzzer’s longtime teammate, Erin Hamlin, won a bronze medal at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
“I am grateful to share the unique honor of being the only two US singles medalists since our careers have been parallel for a long time and there have been many shared moments in the journey to the podium that have undoubtedly influenced the results.” Hamlin said before the race. “Whether it be advice on sliding, equipment, acting in front of the FIL where he is always fighting for the athletes, or being a curator of fun… making sure we know the best place to get coffee at our tour stops… or not letting us leave Whistler without doubling our weight in baked goods from Purebread.
Hamlin, who retired from skating in 2018, said she has known Mazdzer since they were together “Awkward pre-teen.”
“I have countless memories of times on and off the track.” She said. “They always involve adventure, dedication, starting a business, sometimes a sibling-like quarrel, often making questionable decisions — often involving freezing cold water or extremely dangerous environments — and often eating something, but it’s all about having a good time and living.” Life. To the fullest. That’s exactly how he approaches slippage. Putting it all on the line, high risk, high reward or whatever, sacrificing almost anything to succeed. And then celebrating it to the fullest, no matter what The one who might be this weekend.
Team USA Luge teammate Summer Britcher described Mazdzer as a friend, teammate and mentor. She commended him for his work in growing the sport as an athlete representative for FIL and as overall leader of USA Luge.
“I came into those leadership roles, too, to have a teammate to show me the ropes on the track and off the track.” She said. “Chris also knows the best place for a cocktail anywhere we go. It’s really sad to see him go. He has a beautiful, growing family, and I’m so happy for him, but it’s going to be hard to have a big season without Chris Mazdzer. I’m going to miss him.”
His respect within the sport extended far beyond Luge’s USA. Austria’s 2022 Olympic silver medalist Wolfgang Kindl Madzer waited outside the locker room before hugging him.
Mazdzer made his laps along the finish line, hugging each Team USA teammate as they finished. The 24-time World Cup winner and the only American player to medal in World Cup singles and doubles knows his team is in good hands moving forward.
“I know all athletes will rise up.” Madzzer said. “We’re all rooting for each other and this is going nowhere.”
As his teammates prepare for the second FIL Luge World Cup of the season in Whistler, British Columbia, next week, Mazdzer will return to work in the new job he started in October.
“Life doesn’t stop” He said. “The skating has stopped (for me), but life goes on. I’m ready for the next chapter, and I’m ready to be with my family.
The world of luge has been shaken by the news that Chris Mazdzer, the Olympic silver medalist, has announced his retirement from the sport. Mazdzer, known for his impressive skill and determination on the luge track, has decided to hang up his boots after a successful career that saw him make history as the first American man to win an Olympic medal in luge. His announcement has left the luge community in shock, but Mazdzer has assured his fans that he will continue to be involved in the sport in other capacities. The news of Mazdzer’s retirement has sent ripples through the world of sports, with many expressing their gratitude for his contributions and wishing him the best in his future endeavors.