Batemans Bay’s Nic McKirdy has reclaimed the national Street Luge and Classic Luge number one ranking, and was crowned the national champion after setting the 1.83km downhill track alight at the Noosa ProAM on the weekend. More on that later…

The year's Australian rankings have now been decided with some great results from the lugers who hail from Narooma and Bermagui.

“We go to as many races as we are able. We are a small group enthusiastic of south coast riders who go out as often as we can,” Bermagui luger Ken Jacobs said.

“Anyone can join in. Safety gear is essential. Some training is required at first.”

Anyone interested can simply get in touch with Southern NSW Street Luge on Facebook.

Nic tops the lot

McKirdy and two others were in the main players in the hunt for the domestic title and he claimed the trophy after placing second in classic luge and winning the street luge final.

McKirdy said being the national champion took while to sink in after he finished the street luge final.

“I sat there and I couldn’t believe it,” McKirdy said.

“My goal was to reclaim the rankings title which I held in 2012 and to be the national champion is a huge relief.”

McKirdy was racing against 27 other entrants from across Australia and he managed to set the fastest street luge qualifying time on the 14-corner course and the second fastest in the classic category.

It set him up for a better draw when it came to the four-person races knockout races.

“My goal was to set a good qualifying time and on the run I was constantly trying to pick the cambers as best as possible to give me the extra speed for the run to the finish line,” McKirdy said.

When it came to racing McKirdy’s combination of speed and strategy enabled him to win six of seven, only finishing second in the classic luge final.

McKirdy said strategy was a key to winning heats and finals.

“In the four-person races you may not get the ideal line but it’s a simple matter of using drafting and other riders to your advantage,” he said.

“Riders ahead of you punch a hole in the air and it gives you less wind resistance.”

McKirdy believed Noosa-based riders had a “distinct advantage” before the race as would have been able to practice on the track.

“The track was an interesting challenge as it was quite a long track with many corners but not a lot of breaking was required,” he said.

“It was not a fast course by normal standards but there were some bumpy areas so keeping your speed was critical.”

Southern NSW Street Luge placings at the end of the Australian season:

Street luge

Nic McKirdy 1

Bill Salmon 13

Chris Markwort 17

Ken Jacobs 19

Jo Jacobs 39

Jason Beard 46

Classic luge

Nic McKirdy 1

Ken Jacobs 9

Click here for previous street luge coverage in the Narooma News