Mueller/Haugsjaa 2nd, Farquharson 4th in test race as 2026 Olympic Winter Games qualification begins

CORTINA d’AMPEZZO, Italy—The American duo of Marcus Mueller and Ansel Haugsjaa proved they are ready to challenge the world’s best athletes by placing second in a competition held today at the site of the 2026 Olympic Games. The race served as a systems test and qualifier in advance of those Olympic Games. Ashley Farquharson placed fourth in the women’s competition. Both sleds made significant progress toward a nomination to the 2026 Team USA squad.

Men’s Doubles

This was the first medal for Mueller (Brookfield, Wisc.) and Haugsjaa (Framingham, Mass.) at the World Cup level but not their first time on an international podium. They are the winners of the 2024 Junior World Championship and the 2025 U23 World Championship. Their two-run combined time was one minute, 45.404 seconds. 

“It was pretty great,” said Mueller. “(We had) two good runs. That's all we were looking for this week. And we knew we had some speed, so I'm super happy.” 

“It feels amazing,” added Haugsjaa. “Like Marcus said, we had a lot of speed in training, but a lot of inconsistency as well. So, we kind of had the feeling if we could put it together, something good might come of it. It’s just amazing to have that happen.”

The 2024 World Championship team relay silver medalists Dana Kellogg (Chesterfield, Mass.) and Frank Ike (Lititz, Pa.) placed 12^th in 1:45.884. 2022 Olympians Zack DiGregorio (Medway, Mass.) and Sean Hollander (Lake Placid, N.Y.) had problems in the upper portion of the course and finished in 21^st with a one-run time of 53.957. Only the top 18 sleds participate in the second heat. 

Germany’s Hannes Orlamünder and Paul Gubitz won the race in 1:45.170, with teammates Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt third in 1:45.417. 

Women’s Doubles

Chevonne Forgan (Chelmsford, Mass.) and Sophia Kirkby (Lake Placid., N.Y.) placed fifth in 1:47.330. The two-time World Championship medalists did not have a perfect day.

“We had some problems on our first run, some small problems on our second run,” said Forgan.  “Overall, we're happy for the experience and all the learning and all the work we put in this week.” Kirkby added, “I think we have some good takeaways. (This is) preparation for the future. We'll have one more run tomorrow, and then after that, if we come back, it'll be for the Olympics.”

Maya Chan (Chicago, Ill.) and Sophia Gordon (Sussex, Wisc.) placed tenth in 1:48.491. 

Dajana Eitberger and Magdalena Matschina of Germany won the race in 1:46.415. Italy’s Andrea Vötter and Marion Oberhofer were second in 1:46.469, with Austria’s Selena Egle and Lara Kipp third in 1:46.474. 

Women’s Singles

Farquharson (Park City, Utah) was the top finishing U.S. sled, just shy of the podium in fourth place. The 2022 Olympian clocked in at 1:46.208. 

“I’m really excited about the speed shown today, but definitely still have a bit left out there,” said Farquharson. “I'm looking forward to the home races (in Park City and Lake Placid) to really sink into the sled and find some extra hundredths of a second!” 

Three-time Olympian Summer Britcher (Glen Rock, Pa.) was 13th in 1:46.820, while Emily Fischnaller (Lake Placid, N.Y.) was 21st in 53.726. Only the top 20 sleds take part in the second heat. Like Fischnaller, Emma Erickson (Park City, Utah) took only one run, finishing 36th in 54.714. 

The men’s singles and team relay events take place tomorrow, November 30, before the World Cup season kicks off next weekend in Winterberg, Germany. Team USA will skip this event, however, opting instead to train in Lake Placid, as the Winterberg race is not a part of the five-race Olympic qualification process. 

Nations earn Olympic spots by earning points through results of the Cortina test event and four pre-Olympic World Cup races. To learn more about the quota system for nations, visit https://www.fil-luge.org/cdn/uploads/milano-cortina-2026-qualification-system-for-luge-v3.pdf

Team USA athletes earn a nomination to the 2026 Olympic Team based on results in the five FIL Olympic qualifying events. An “A tier” result (a top five finish), or two “B tier” results (two results in the top 50% of the field) can earn an Olympic nomination. If an athlete does not earn an “A” or “B tier,” then points earned in the five races will be used. For the complete procedure, visit https://www.usaluge.org/selection-processes  

On or about January 12, 2026, USA Luge will formally announce its list of nominees to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, who will then announce those athletes as members of the 2026 Olympic squad. 

Following the Winterberg World Cup, the circuit comes to the U.S. for two races in Park City and Lake Placid before holiday break.