It might seem a world away from the sun-baked landscapes of Adelaide, but the possibility of an Olympic medal in luge for a local is now a reality. Chevonne Forgan, a 25-year-old who spent her formative years in Coromandel Valley and attended Belair Primary School, is poised to compete for Team United States at the Winter Olympics, with a medal firmly in her sights.
Her remarkable journey to the icy slopes of international competition began not with a childhood dream of winter sports, but with a family relocation. Chevonne’s father, Jamie Forgan, recounted on ABC Radio Adelaide’s Breakfast program that the family’s move to the United States in 2011 was prompted by a job opportunity. At the time, 11-year-old Chevonne had never experienced snow, a rare and fleeting visitor to the Adelaide Hills.
An Unexpected Introduction to Winter
The family’s first encounter with snow was dramatic. “When we landed in Boston, the kids were very excited looking out the window of the plane, as it was dumping down quite a lot of snow,” Mr Forgan recalled. Their immediate reaction upon arriving at their new home was to rush outside and embrace the winter wonderland. “When we got to our rental, the kids went through the front door and straight out the back to play in the snow and that was their first introduction to it. They loved it.”
This newfound passion for snow led the family to settle in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. It was there that they forged a connection with a family that had ties to USA Luge. This seemingly chance encounter would set Chevonne on an extraordinary path.
From Casual Tryout to Olympic Contender
Chevonne was invited to a luge “tryout.” As her father explained, they didn’t initially realise the significance of the event. “which at the time we didn’t realise was a tryout; she thought it was just for some fun”. However, her natural aptitude was evident. A few months later, a call from the US Luge Association invited her to a more formal tryout at Lake Placid in upstate New York. “And there we are, she ended up on the US luge team,” Mr Forgan stated.
The initial assessment involved steering a sled on wheels, a method used for summer training. “Chevonne demonstrated, I think, a bunch of potential,” Mr Forgan commented. He believes her success is partly due to her inherent personality. “And I think it’s a little bit of craziness because Chevonne apparently loves a lot of speed and danger, and she just never looked back.”
The Thrills and Precision of Women’s Double Luge
Chevonne is currently competing in the women’s double luge event, a discipline making its debut in the Olympic program this year. While Australia does not field a female luge competitor, Queensland’s Alex Ferlazzo is representing the nation in the men’s singles, marking his fourth Olympic appearance.
The women’s double sled is a formidable piece of equipment, weighing up to 20 kilograms – six kilograms heavier than its single counterpart. Chevonne will partner with Sophia Kirkby, with Chevonne positioned on top and Sophia below. Their partnership has proven highly successful, positioning them as strong medal contenders. They secured third place in the overall World Cup standings at the conclusion of 2025, amassing 601 points.
The dynamics of the double luge are intense. Chevonne will be responsible for steering the sled’s trajectory using her feet, while Sophia will manage its stability with her shoulders. Together, they navigate the icy track at astonishing speeds, reaching up to 150 kilometres per hour.
The success of a luge run hinges on absolute precision, particularly when entering and exiting the track’s challenging corners. Even minor errors in their line can result in the loss of crucial fractions of a second. Mr Forgan highlighted the sport’s extreme precision, noting that luge is one of the few Winter Olympic sports where results are measured in thousandths of a second, a testament to the “pretty incredible speeds” involved. “It’s all about perfection; it’s a really challenging sport,” he emphasised.
A Family’s Support and a Nation’s Pride
Watching a loved one compete in such a high-octane sport can be a nerve-wracking experience. Mr Forgan admitted, “He said it could also be ‘nerve-wracking’ to watch.” He added, “Chevonne’s only had one bad accident in 2017 but since then she’s done a great job.” His primary concern, however, is Chevonne’s personal satisfaction. “I think the worse thing, though, is worrying if Chevonne’s going to do as well as she wants to.”
Despite competing for the United States, Chevonne has a strong contingent of supporters who have travelled from Australia, the United States, and Scotland to cheer her on. When asked if any of them would be sporting the iconic green and gold of Australia, Mr Forgan confirmed that some would. “But we’re all supporting Chevonne and, actually, country doesn’t matter because we just care about Chevonne’s result.”
The women’s double luge event is scheduled to take place this evening at 8:30 pm ACDT at the Cortina Sliding Centre in Milano, Italy. For those keen to follow the entire Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games schedule, it is available on the official website.
