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Jiangshan's teen trio: From track to ice, chasing 'ice F1' dream

chinadaily.com.cn| Updated :2024-03-01

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An athlete trains on a luge sled at the National Sliding Center in Beijing. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

Three teenagers from Jiangshan, a county-level city of Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, have recently been selected for the national luge training camp, embarking on a journey that has earned the moniker "ice F1" due to its high-speed thrills.

On February 26th, at the National Sliding Center in Beijing, the trio, who had no prior experience with winter sports just 10 months ago, broke through the 90 kilometers per hour speed barrier while skillfully navigating the track's turns.

The three middle school students, Liu Haoning, Mao Yilin, and Xu Mingjuan, classmates at Jiangshan Sports and Arts School, were chosen after a rigorous selection process to join the national team's training squad. They now train at the national center for bobsleigh and luge.

Originally track and field athletes, their transition to the luge event is a testament to their athletic prowess and adaptability. Despite the physical and technical challenges of the sport, including the risk of collision and the intense cold of the ice track, the teenagers have shown remarkable courage and determination. One of them, Xu Mingjuan, even continued training after a minor tailbone fracture, unwilling to give up her chance at selection.

As they continue to push their limits and speed, these young athletes from Jiangshan represent the spirit of chasing dreams at breakneck speed, embodying the essence of "ice F1".