All downhill for young luge champions

Luge champions (from left) Ben Voice (14), of Ranfurly, Hunter Burke (15), of Dunedin, Flyn Coburn (14), of Christchurch, Sam Flanagan (14), of Naseby, Ella Cox (15), of Dunedin, and Abby Ward (14), of Dunedin, show off their trophies.

New Zealand Luge president Geoff Balme said there were familiar faces in the top spots at the New Zealand Luge Championships in Naseby on Saturday.

Sam  and Hunter,  formerly of Ranfurly,  tied for first place in the senior men’s event.

Ella  won the senior women’s title. Ben won the junior men’s title and Abby  the junior women’s title.

Hunter  and Flynn  won the open doubles title.

Sam, Ella and Ben had all benefited from spending time in Italy and Austria earlier in the year as part of the International Luge Federation development team programme, Mr Balme said.

About 500 people attended the event.