Sophia Kirkby

Sophia Kirkby
Kirkby in 2019
Personal information
Born (2001-06-14) June 14, 2001 (age 23)
Ray Brook, New York, U.S.
Sport
SportLuge
EventDoubles
Medal record
Women's luge
Representing the  United States
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2024 Alternberg Team relay
Bronze medal – third place 2022 Winterberg Doubles
Bronze medal – third place 2024 Altenberg Doubles

Sophia Kirkby (born June 14, 2001) is an American luger.

Early life

Kirkby was born in Ray Brook, New York and began luge at 8 years old with the Adirondack Luge Club. When she was 10 years old, she received an invitation to the development team from USA Luge.[1][2]

Career

Kirkby (left) with her doubles teammate Chevonne Forgan in 2023

Kirkby has been with Team USA since she was 16, playing in singles events on the junior national team. She switched to doubles in 2020, and races with her teammate Chevonne Forgan. Forgan serves as the supine, steering the sled from up top, while Kirby navigates the runs from underneath.[3] During the 2022–23 Luge World Cup, Kirkby and Forgan finished in fifth place in the overall World Cup women's doubles standings.[4]

Kirkby represented the United States at the 2022 FIL World Luge Championships and won a bronze medal in the inaugural women's doubles event at the FIL World Luge Championships.[5][6]

She competed at the 2023 FIL World Luge Championships where she came in sixth place in the doubles and doubles sprint events.[7]

She competed at the 2024 FIL World Luge Championships and won a silver medal in the team relay and a bronze medal in the women's doubles event.[8][9] During the doubles event they tied the start record of 5.925, and track record of 42.334.[10]

Personal life

Outside of luge, Kirkby's interest includes ceramics, where she produces Adirondack-themed mugs, among other things, at the Lake Placid Center of the Arts. She plans to start a business in 2024 called Sophie's Ceramics and Services.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Local doubles luge duo ready to slide into new season". Adirondack Daily Enterprise. November 30, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  2. ^ Reuter, Lou (April 24, 2020). "So far, so good for local luge racer Sophie Kirkby". Press-Republican. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  3. ^ Kerr, Eric (September 21, 2023). "Ray Brook, NY, native Sophia Kirkby in early practice sessions ahead of international luge world cup series". mynbc5.com. WPTZ. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  4. ^ "Sophia Kirkby". teamusa.com. 7 December 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  5. ^ "Chelmsford's Chevonne Forgan wins bronze in women's doubles at luge world championships". The Boston Globe. January 30, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  6. ^ "USA Luge breaks through in new women's discipline at World Championships". usaluge.org. January 30, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  7. ^ Howe, Lauren (January 27, 2023). "World Championships begin with Sprint races in Oberhof". usaluge.org. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  8. ^ "U.S. women's doubles earns bronze at luge World Championships". Adirondack Daily Enterprise. January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  9. ^ "Americans Chevonne Forgan, Sophia Kirkby take bronze at luge worlds". nbcsports.com. January 27, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  10. ^ Howe, Lauren (January 27, 2024). "Forgan/Kirkby win women's doubles bronze medal; tie start and track records at FIL World Championships". usaluge.org. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
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