Embyr-Lee Susko capped off a dream season by winning silver at the Junior Luge World Championships on Feb. 16 in Lillehammer, Norway.
Enjoying a strong rookie campaign on the World Cup circuit, the 18-year-old combined two consistent starts with steady runs to clock a time of 1:34.907.
“This is so incredible and a bit of a surprise,” beamed Susko in a press release. The Whistlerite finished second overall in junior singles sliding this year.
Susko introduced herself to the international luge community in 2023 by winning three straight Junior World Cup races, with the final one coming at the Whistler Sliding Centre (WSC) she grew up at. She carried that momentum into her elite World Cup debut on home ice where she finished ninth.
That same weekend, Susko paired up with Beattie Podulsky to earn seventh in their inaugural doubles race in Whistler.
“This season has meant a lot to me with finding success on the Junior World Cup circuit, and starting to make appearances on the senior circuit. It has been non-stop fun and learning," added Susko, who also owns three runner-up results in junior women’s doubles, along with silver and bronze in the team competition.
“To top all of this off with a silver at Junior Worlds is just so fun. It definitely gives me some confidence moving into the final race of the season.”
Germany’s Antonia Pietschmann threw down top times in both heats to take the gold medal (1:34.678). Anka Jaenicke, also of Germany, placed third (1:35.163).
Three more Canadians saw action in Lillehammer. Caitlin Nash of Whistler had top-two start times in both heats down the 13-corner track to snag seventh (1:35.328). Kailey Allan clinched the final spot in the top 10 (1:35.431), while Midori Holland was 11th (1:35.958).
