Clukey To Announce Retirement From Luge

For 19 years, Augusta's Julia Clukey has competed worldwide in the sport of luge. Today, she will announce her retirement from competition.

The 31-year-old Clukey had been training for the chance to be on the USA team for the 2018 Olympics in South Korea.

She competed in the 2010 Olympics and finished 17th. She missed making the 2014 U.S. team by less than a second in time trials.

The sport of luge is one of the fastest and most dangerous winter sports. The competitors  race down an ice course at high speeds on sleds, steering with their feet and shifting the body.

Clukey has spent a great deal of time in recent years speaking to Maine's youth in school presentations encouraging kids to find their passion and create a plan to go for that passion.

NOTE: Clukey will be a guest of the 'Morning PItch Show' Wednesday morning at 7:15am to discuss her decision to retire from luge.