Shiva Keshavan makes it 3 out of 3 in Luge World Cup Finals in 2014-15 Season

The final race for India at the International Luge circuit is underway in Altenberg, Germany and it is already the most successful season yet for the country's sole entrant, Shiva Keshavan, who clocked 55.423 seconds at the 1500 meter long "Ice-canal" with a speed of 120.26 kmph. He finished in 17th Place at the Nations Cup, 1.64 seconds and 4 kmph behind the local favourite Ralf Palik from Germany.

 

This race marks the end of a successful World Cup Season for Shiva with a 14th, 15th and 17th place, all three national records. Earlier this winter Shiva won a silver medal at the Asian Championship - another feather in the cap for the only Indian to medal consistently in international winter sports.

 

Despite the results, the going has not been easy for Team India. A severe crash in Lillehammer, Norway in January wrecked both blades of the new sled with propriety Team India technology that is being developed under Coach Kennedy. Although Shiva was seemingly unhurt after the crash, he was later diagnosed with a neck injury that he will attend to during the post season break. The team also suffered during the subsequent World Championships in Latvia, as they were not able to efficiently setup the spare blades after the crash and had to be content with a participatory role in the race.

 

Shiva, and his American coach Duncan Kennedy are upbeat and satisfied with the results of this year. "We had set out with a clear goal of making the finals at the World Cup and we did that" says Shiva. "I have been riding a new prototype sled that Duncan has manufactured. I feel comfortable on it and was able to post consistent times, which is important. We have built a good base for next Season and we plan to target the top 10 in the Nations Cup for sure."

 

The team is already setting their sights on future races, and while Shiva does his athletic training, coach Kennedy will be working on the technical aspects. "With all the training and testing this winter, I will be able to build a new sled around Shiva based on the current prototype. We are also getting technological help from Clarkson University in New York for aerodynamics. A new pod is being designed which will allow us to shave off considerable time next season", said Kennedy from Germany.

 

"The biggest challenge for us is funding", says Shiva. "The Sports Ministry has totally ignored our requests this year. They have not paid for any of the expenses for us to represent our country, not even my Coach Salary. We have only come so far due to the generosity of my corporate sponsors MTS and Coca-Cola (India). I will approach other potential sponsors to support us through funding or technical support in our mission for India."