In a notable scheduling moment for international winter sports, sliders from Ukraine and Russia are set to start consecutively during a Luge World Cup race in Lake Placid, New York. The event, taking place on Thursday, December 18, 2025, highlights the complex realities of global athletic competition amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
A Rare Consecutive Start Draw
The start list for the competition places athletes from the two nations directly one after the other on the track. This consecutive placement is a rare occurrence in major international sporting events following the widespread restrictions placed on Russian and Belarusian athletes after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While many federations have allowed individual athletes from these countries to compete as neutrals, without flags or anthems, direct sequencing in events has been uncommon.
The Russian athlete in focus is Matvei Perestoronin, who successfully completed a qualifying race on Thursday to earn his spot in the World Cup event. Photographs from the qualifier show Perestoronin in action on the icy track at the historic Lake Placid venue.
The Broader Context of Competition
This World Cup event unfolds against a backdrop of continued debate over the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international sports. Major governing bodies, including the International Olympic Committee, have established strict neutrality conditions for such athletes, prohibiting any national symbols and requiring they do not actively support the war in Ukraine.
For Ukrainian athletes, competing on the same stage as neutrals from Russia has been a point of contention. Many have voiced that it is an immense psychological challenge, even when their competitors are officially designated as neutral. The consecutive start order in Lake Placid will put this dynamic into sharp relief on the ice.
Focus on Sport Amidst Political Shadows
Despite the unavoidable political context, the primary focus for the athletes and officials at the Mount Van Hoevenberg track remains the sport itself. The Lake Placid World Cup is a critical event in the luge calendar, offering crucial points for Olympic qualification ahead of the 2026 Winter Games.
The event is proceeding with the standard World Cup format and protocols. Organizers and the International Luge Federation are tasked with ensuring the competition runs smoothly, prioritizing athlete safety and fair play. The consecutive start for the Ukrainian and Russian sliders is a logistical outcome of the draw and qualifying times, rather than a staged event.
As the world watches, the performance on the track will be measured in hundredths of a second. Yet, for many observers, this particular head-to-head moment in Lake Placid will carry a significance that extends far beyond the finish line.
