By Linda Delmonico-Prussen
Young, a Calhoun High School freshman, took up luge in earnest only three years ago. Since then, however, she has quickly risen through the sport's ranks to become a member of the Junior Candidate Team, which travels with the two-member Junior National squad. National team coaches select candidates based on their performance in regional competitions and workouts.
The U.S. Luge Association fully funds the Junior National team during international competitions, while it only partially pays for the Junior Candidate team. "My [international] trip costs over $12,000," Young said, and her family must contribute $4,000.
Young said she was stunned and more than pleasantly surprised when she recently received word that she had been selected for the six-member Junior Candidate team. "At first I couldn't believe it," she said shortly before departing for the Junior World Cup luge tour. Then, "I was really, really happy. I was working so hard for it, just for the opportunity. Things just came together for me all of a sudden."
Young made her debut on the international circuit last week in Germany, where she raced with the best young lugers in the world. She will travel to four cities in Germany -- Winterberg, Oberhof, Konigssee and Altenberg. Then she's off to Igls, Austria; Calgary, Canada; and Park City, Utah.
She'll compete through Christmas, when she will stop at home in Merrick before returning to the circuit Feb. 16. While on the road, Young receives private tutoring to keep up with her schoolwork.
Three members of the Junior Candidate team have already competed overseas and three, including Young, have not. "Since I've never been to Europe before, I don't know what to expect," she said. Young also said she wasn't nervous about taking what many would consider the trip of a lifetime, but rather looked forward to it as a learning experience.
The World Cup luge circuit includes five major races, for which athletes receive points depending on their placing in each contest. The more points they receive, the higher they stand in the international rankings. The Junior World Cup championships will be held in Konigssee.
Anastasia's father, Bob Young, said his daughter is intensely committed to the sport of luge and to her country. "She represents the United States abroad," he said. "She takes that seriously."
Young's ultimate goal? "I'm aiming for the Olympics," she says.
Anyone wishing to help her defray the cost of competing on the international circuit can make tax-deductible donations to the U.S. Luge Association with a letter stating that the funds should be set aside for Young. The memo area of the check should not mention her name. Donations can be sent to the association at 35 Church St., Lake Placid, NY 12946.
