COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- On May 18, members of the 2017-18 USA Luge team gathered at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for something a little different than their normal training routine. Rather than channeling their competitive energies on a luge track, they'd be getting competitive in the kitchen.
The athletes broke up into teams and squared off in one of the preliminary rounds of the 2017 Team USA cooking challenge, spearheaded by United States Olympic Committee Senior Dietician Susie Parker Simmons. Teams had to create a dish with a Korean theme, with the winners moving on to the grand final series in October where they will face off against winning teams from other winter sports.
So which luge team reigned supreme? Take a look at these photos to find out!
1) Preparing For Battle
The athletes receive their challenge instructions from Team USA's senior dietician Susie Parker Simmons.
2) Getting Started
(L-R) Women's singles athletes Erin Hamlin, Emily Sweeney, Summer Britcher and Raychel Germaine reveal their ingredients.
3) Chop Chop!
Doubles competitors Matt Mortensen (R) and Justin Krewson (L) chop up their vegetables as they get cooking.
4) Feeling The Heat
Men's singles athletes Tucker West (L) and John Fennell (R) work at the stove.
5) Team Effort
One of the teams gathers to inspect its handiwork.
6) Fully Focused
Doubles competitors Andrew Sherk (L) and Jake Hyrns (R) hard at work at their station.
7) Budding Chefs
Emily Sweeney (L) and Raychel Germaine (R) take some time to enjoy the moment.
8) Taking Charge
Raychel Germaine mans the stove for the women's team.
9) Double Duty
Erin Hamlin (L) and Raychel Germaine (R) make sure their dish is in tip-top shape.
10) Finishing Up
The cooking complete, Matt Mortensen plates his team's dish.
11) Victorious!
The women of USA Luge celebrate creating the winning dish at the cooking challenge.
12) Victorious!
(L-R) Erin Hamlin, Emily Sweeney, Summer Britcher and Raychel Germaine pose with their cooking challenge gold medals.
