Saranac Lake’s Chris Mazdzer Makes Olympic Luge History
Saranac Lake's Chris Mazdzer has followed in Erin Hamlin's footsteps, making history at the Winter Olympics.
Mazdzer won the Silver in the men's single luge, becoming the first American man to medal. His historic win also set a track record of 47.534 seconds on his third run. Hamlin made history at the last Winter Olympics when she became the first American female to medal.
The journey wasn't easy for Mazdzer to finally make it the Olympic podium. "It's 16 years in the making," he said after his win. "I've had a rough last 2 years and it just shows don't ever give up."
The perfect track conditions was just what the Saranac Lake native needed to bring home the medal. "It's cold. It's technical. People are messing up. I just went for it. I was out of control those four runs."
Luge favorite Germany's Felix Loch messed up so bad he failed to even medal. David Gleirscher of Austria won gold, while Germany’s Johannes Ludwig took bronze.
Mazdzer will be back on the track for the team relay on Thursday February 15th. Watch his Silver medal run on NBCOlympics.com.
Hamlin's on the track Monday, February 12th and Tuesday, February 13th, trying to bring home her 2nd Olympic medal after winning bronze in the 2014 Sochi Games.