Double luge Olympic medallists from Alberta announce retirement

Canada’s most successful doubles luge team announced their retirement Saturday morning in Whistler, B.C.

Tristan Walker, from Cochrane, and Calgary’s Justin Snith ended their journey at the same place where they made the first Olympic appearance in 2010.

They are forerunning the men’s Eberspächer Luge World Cup this weekend.

“I think something like this is bittersweet,” said Walker. “We are both moving on to things we are both excited about, so it feels right. But it’s definitely a little bit sad too. It feels like it is time.”

In their final run, Walker and Snith were greeted by their families and friends once they arrived at the finish dock. Also there were their teammates Alex Gough and Sam Edney from the 2010 Olympic-winning run.

As they parked their sleds at the finish dock, they gave a nod to the sport they love with a unique Canadian touch.

“(I think of) all of our teammates,” said Walker. “The success together is what I think of today and all of the hurdles we went through as a team. And then to come back together four years later and win that silver medal (in PyeongChang 2018) is what I’m most proud of. To have Sam and Alex here with us today is special. It’s so great to have everyone here to support us and we will now be able to support this new group.”

Walker and Snith have marked history for Canada, as they won a medal in the World Cup doubles luge race that took place in 2014 in Konigssee, Germany.

Their accolades also include two bronze medals at World Cup stops in Calgary 2015 and Lake Placid 2019, in addition to the silver medal at the 2018 Olympics.

“Looking at our career and the sport in general, Canada is such an underdog. It’s nice to have been able to capitalize on the opportunities that we have had and prove to the world that we can do it,” said Snith. “I hope the next generation keeps moving the program forward.”


READ MORE:

The two 31-year-olds have been mentoring Canada’s new generation of luge athletes, including 20-year-old Devin Wardrope and 21-year-old Cole Zajanski, who were also taking part in the World Cup Saturday.

“It’s time to hand things over to the young guys. It feels so nice that we were able to do one last season with those boys,” said Walker. “They have really impressed us, and they nipped at our heels last year. There was a couple of times last year we thought it may have been them doing the Olympic race for Canada.

“We are super proud of them, and I feel like we are leaving the program in good hands with them, and that feels really good.”

Wardrope and Zajaski “slid to a career-best fourth-place finish Saturday afternoon.

“It’s amazing. (This result) says we are in a good spot and being the first World Cup of the year, I couldn’t be happier,” said Wardrope.

“We put so much time in sliding on this track, so it is just nice to have it finally pay off,” said Zajanski. “Our goals are just to put two consistent runs together in each race. It means a lot to have a good result here.”

Meanwhile, Walker and Snith remembered the big number of coaches and supporters who were by their sides throughout their journey.

“The people are what made this journey the best,” said Snith. “We are just so grateful to everyone along the way and will enjoy sharing this moment with all of them today.”

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today