Lumsden athlete identified as Olympic luge prospect

Ava Darbellay was named one of 35 athletes funded by RBC Training Ground after being identified for Olympic potential in luge. Jacob Carr has more

Fourteen-year-old Ava Darbellay of Lumsden, Sask., is accustomed to winter competition as a biathlete with Team Saskatchewan. This year, however, her athletic journey took an unexpected turn toward luge.

Darbellay was identified as a potential future Olympian after attending an RBC Training Ground qualifier in Regina in May. While she entered the event as a biathlete, talent scouts recognized skills that translated well to luge, leading to her selection as one of just 35 Canadians to receive RBC funding, along with coaching and support aimed at accelerating Olympic development.

“It’s pretty different,” Darbellay said. “The sport is more technical than you would think. It’s not as much cardio as skiing, which is way different, but it’s lots of fun.”

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In January, Darbellay will attend her second of four week-long luge training camps in Whistler, B.C., after completing her first sessions earlier this month.

She said her initial experience on the track was both exciting and nerve-wracking.

“I was slightly scared, but my coaches said it’s super safe and it’s going to be okay,” she said. “Once you’re actually doing it, it’s not that scary. After your first couple runs, it was fine.”

Luge Canada Track to Podium coordinator Dania Obratov said Darbellay stood out immediately.

“Right away I could see that she was picking up the skills really quickly,” Obratov said. “She listened to our feedback and implemented it, which showed she could be a great fit for our sport.”

Despite her growing involvement in luge, Darbellay said she has no plans to step away from biathlon. She remains focused on competing at a high level, with her sights set on the Canada Games next year.

“My provincial coach has definitely encouraged me to stick with the sport and do both,” she said.

Darbellay said her love of biathlon stems from her passion for skiing and spending time outdoors during the winter months. Luge, by contrast, offers a different kind of challenge.

“I love the speed,” she said. “You go so fast. It’s just a thrill — it’s adrenaline.”

As a newcomer, Darbellay acknowledged the steep learning curve that comes with the sport, including learning when not to steer on the flat sections of the track to avoid crashing.

When asked about Olympic goals, Darbellay said the 2030 Winter Games in the French Alps may be ambitious, but the 2034 Games in Salt Lake City remain a possibility.

“It’s kind of a wait and see,” she said.