On a day when a champion was crowned on the football field, hundreds of winter sports enthusiasts were sliding their way down Blue Mountain Resort hoping to be discovered as the next American luge Olympian.

For nearly a decade, the United States Luge Association has carved its 400-foot luge track in the mountain for Blue Mountain’s annual winter festival, giving anyone who wants to try the fastest sport on ice the opportunity to do it for free.After learning the basics of accelerating, steering and stopping from national luge athletes and coaches, adults and children, age 10 and older, take practice runs down a track complete with curves and timing equipment.Two races were also held throughout the weekend.“This is a modified version of what you would see at the Olympics,” said Patrick del Rosario, of the USA Luge Association. “This track is dropping down five or six stories when a regular track would be like going down 30 stories from top to bottom.”Sunday marked the first time on a luge track for many riders, including Christine Maughan of Gouldsboro.“I came for Winter Fest and wanted to check this out,” she said. “It’s a lot faster than I thought it would be. It’s a great thrill though. I’m really glad I tried it.”Blue Mountain is one of only three resorts to host the luge challenge this winter, joining Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, Massachusetts, and Belleayre Mountain Highmount, New York.An Olympic luge track is 1 mile and finish times are around 50 seconds.During Sunday’s race, on the shorter track, the average finish time was closer to 12 seconds.Speeds on the shorter track can reach around 20 mph.Chris Goldstein of Richmond, Virginia, posted a time of 11.81 seconds, but was just happy for the opportunity to converse with some of the legends of the sport, including 1998 Olympic silver medalist Gordon Sheer.“I’m never going to make a career out of this obviously, but to be able to watch this on television during the Olympics and get out here and try it is great,” Goldstein said. “Judging by how many people are out here, there is no doubt that there is an interest here in luge. It’s good to see.”Throughout the weekend, participants were able to enjoy a disc jockey and emcee at the luge event. Participants could also win prizes including ski lift tickets and USA luge apparel.“It’s a great time,” said Ron Thompson of Emmaus, who brought his two sons to try luge for the first time. “I was a little nervous, but it was fun. I recommend anyone try it. If you like sledding, you can do this. It’s just faster.”Other events over the weekend at Blue Mountain included snowshoe demonstrations with Eastern Mountain Sports, ice carving, dog sledding, roaming magician, snowmaking tours, a snowflake search and fireworks on Saturday night.Video: https://www.facebook.com/tnlehighton/videos/1253272738042855/https://www.facebook.com/tnlehighton/videos/1253269114709884/