Canadian athletes Beattie Podulsky and Kailey Allan, who hail from snowy Calgary, have been competing together in luge on the World Cup circuit, including in Winterberg, Germany. However, this summer, they decided to take a break from the cold and explore new destinations.
Podulsky mentioned, “We go to the middle of nowhere in the freezing cold all the time, so we thought, ‘Let’s go somewhere warm with things to do.’ That’s how we ended up booking flights.”
During a two-week adventure, Podulsky and Allan traveled through New Zealand and Fiji in an RV, enjoying a change from their usual close quarters on the luge sled.
While on this journey, the duo not only strengthened their physical proximity but also deepened their friendship as Olympic hopefuls.
Their goal now is to secure a spot in the inaugural women’s luge doubles event at the Milan-Cortina Olympics and possibly make it to the podium. Their pursuit continues as the World Cup season kicks off in Winterberg on Dec. 5.
Since its inclusion in the Olympics in 1964, luge has seen several additions, with women’s doubles being the latest. This new event, similar to the men’s doubles, involves two runs on the same day, with the fastest combined time winning the gold medal.
Podulsky and Allan aim to showcase their chemistry on Feb. 11, 2026, in hopes of triumphing in the women’s doubles competition.
Allan described their partnership as “chaotic but in a good way,” highlighting their shared energy and rapid communication style, which may seem like gibberish to outsiders.
In doubles luge, harmony is crucial due to the heavier sled and increased crash risks with two individuals on board. Podulsky emphasized that doubles luge is around ten times more challenging than singles due to the unpredictability and intensity of crashes.
The athletes are training rigorously for the upcoming Olympic season, acknowledging the pressure that comes with podium expectations and the stress of competing at the highest level. Despite the challenges ahead, Podulsky and Allan are determined to give their best performance.