A promising young athlete from Whitehorse has garnered recognition from Luge Canada. Kody Strand, a 15-year-old athlete, has made history as the first Yukoner to be selected among the Top 100 athletes identified by RBC Training Ground, a talent search initiative by the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Strand’s journey began when he participated in the official qualifying event organized by RBC Training Ground during their visit to Whitehorse earlier this year. Initially signed up by his mother for fun, Strand did not anticipate the outcome. A student at Porter Creek Secondary School, where he excels in volleyball, he underwent a series of strength and endurance assessments, including the beep test, during the event.
Although ski jumping recruiters initially expressed interest in him, it was Luge Canada that ultimately reached out to him. Embracing the unexpected opportunity, Strand delved into luge, a sport he had not previously considered, describing the experience as “shocking” yet fulfilling due to the newfound passion for the adrenaline-packed sport.
Luge Canada’s recruitment process involved over 3,000 athletes from various sports across the nation participating in qualifier events. Following the qualifiers, Strand earned an invitation to a pivotal training camp in Calgary, where his performance stood out among the 40 athletes present. Impressed by his skills, Dania Obratov, a program coach and coordinator at Luge Canada, expressed enthusiasm about having Strand join their team.
After showcasing his abilities in steering the sled and navigating a practice track, Strand secured a spot among the top 100 athletes in the RBC Training Ground National Finals. Obratov highlighted the significance of Strand becoming Yukon’s first luge athlete, emphasizing the extensive travel required for training at Whistler, B.C., the sole operational track in Canada. Strand is set to travel to Toronto in October for the national finals, aiming to secure funding, access to the national development program, and a faster track to the Olympics.
Keen on pursuing his newfound passion, Strand expressed his eagerness to continue his luge journey if given the opportunity.