Sophia Kirkby and partner Chevonne Forgan finished fifth in the inaugural Olympic women's doubles luge, clocking 1:47.565 — about one second off the Italian gold. Betting takeaway: Italy remains the safer short-term medal pick; punters should be cautious backing Kirkby/Forgan for podium futures but could explore long-shot novelty or publicity-driven prop bets tied to athlete media exposure.
Kirkby and Forgan Finish Fifth in Historic Women's Doubles Luge
Race recap — Olympic debut for women's doubles
Sophia Kirkby, 24, and teammate Chevonne Forgan placed fifth in the inaugural women's doubles luge at Milano Cortina, posting a combined time of 1:47.565. The American duo finished roughly one second behind the Italian pair that claimed gold, securing a top-five result in the discipline's Olympic debut.
Off-Track Headlines: Olympic Village Dating Scene
From tracks to Tinder — Kirkby's social-media courting
Kirkby's media presence drew as much attention as her run. She created Hinge and Tinder accounts while in Milan and Cortina and openly invited fellow athletes and visitors to connect. She adopted a playful "Bachelorette"-style ritual, handing out handmade ceramic pins to dates who impressed her.
Valentine's Day and fan encounters
A dedicated fan based in the U.K. flew to Italy to see her and joined Kirkby for a Valentine's dinner. She posted images from a spa visit and a Michelin-starred meal in Cortina with a companion whose face she often obscured with a pin in social posts. Her Instagram noted a busy schedule: interviews and multiple dates during the Games.
Performance Context and Betting Implications
What the result says about medal prospects
The near-one-second gap to gold suggests the American pairing is competitive but not yet on the same foothold as the medal winners. For short-term futures and next-event odds, the Italian duo and other top finishers remain the stronger choices for podium bets.
How off-track attention might influence markets
Kirkby's publicity surge is more relevant to endorsement and novelty markets than to pure performance lines. Punters should be cautious about letting media buzz influence luge futures; however, increased visibility can create opportunities in prop markets tied to media appearances, sponsorships, or non-performance events.
Looking Ahead
What to watch for next season
Monitor split times and World Cup results to see whether Kirkby and Forgan close the margin to leading teams. If their on-track improvements align with sustained international competition, their odds for podium finishes will improve; until then, bettors should treat current results as a solid foundation but not a guarantee of immediate medal returns.
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Team USA luge star Sophia Kirkby declared herself the Winter Olympics' "most eligible bachelorette" and documented dates during the Milano Cortina 2026 Games
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