Former CT Resident Competes in Luge at Winter Olympics

Emily Fischnaller completes first two runs in women's single luge event at Milano Cortina 2026 Games

Feb. 9, 2026 at 2:55pm

Emily Fischnaller, a former resident of Suffield, Connecticut, competed in the first day of the women's single luge event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Fischnaller, who is competing in her third Olympic Games, completed her first two runs and currently sits in eighth place heading into the final two runs on Tuesday.

Why it matters

Fischnaller's performance at the Olympics is significant as she looks to medal for the United States in the luge event. As a three-time Olympian, she has experienced both success and setbacks, including a serious crash in 2018 that sidelined her for six months. Her journey to the 2026 Games highlights the perseverance and dedication required to compete at the highest level.

The details

In her first run, Fischnaller completed the track in 52.892 seconds, which placed her in seventh position. Her second run time of 52.980 seconds was the ninth fastest of the second run. Fischnaller's total time after the first two runs is 1:45.872, putting her in eighth place overall and 0.684 seconds behind the leader, German Julia Taubitz. Fischnaller currently has the second best time among the U.S. competitors, with Ashley Farquharson sitting in fifth place.

  • The two-day luge event began on Monday with the first two runs.
  • The final two runs will take place on Tuesday at 11 a.m.

The players

Emily Fischnaller

A former resident of Suffield, Connecticut, who is competing in her third Olympic Games in luge.

Julia Taubitz

The current leader in the women's single luge event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Ashley Farquharson

An American luge competitor who currently sits in fifth place after the first two runs.

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What’s next

The final two runs of the women's single luge event will take place on Tuesday at 11 a.m., where Fischnaller will look to improve her overall standing and potentially medal for the United States.

The takeaway

Emily Fischnaller's journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics in luge highlights the resilience and determination required to compete at the highest level. Despite facing setbacks, including a serious injury in 2018, Fischnaller has persevered and is now in contention for a medal, representing the perseverance of American athletes on the global stage.