A new track record was set on the ice today at the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games demonstration luge.

Tyla Toheriri-O'Neill (12) of Ranfurly made a run-time of 32.52 seconds. Together with her first run of 37.75, Tayla Toheriri-O'Neil, the 2009 Naseby Cup junior women's overall champion, took first place in today's junior women's competition with a total time of 1 minute, 10.27 seconds. Tayla Toheriri-O'Neil said she didn't pick her first run as being as fast as it was, at the time. "I was just concentrating on trying not to crash," she said.

Second place in the women's junior event was Cheyan Vowles (8), of Ranfurly (1.16.55). Tess Jorgensen (8) of Wedderburn was third (1.21.56).

The men's junior competition was won by junior men's 2009 Naseby Cup overall champion, Michael McCormack, 13, of Dunedin with good times of 32.44 seconds in his first run and 31.77 seconds in his second run, making a total of 1.04.21. Michael McCormack comes to Naseby regularly to visit his father, which gives him opportunities to practice. "Every third weekend I come up," he said. And while Michael McCormack plays other sports, he particularly likes the luge because "it's fast".

Second place in the men's junior event was Andrew Balme (20) of Christchurch (1.05.27), and Tyler Carson-Day (15) of Timaru was third (1.05.60). Tyler Carson-Day holds the fastest junior men's track record of 29.96.

Competitors raced on low-slung racing sleds using a combination of reins feet, body weight and breaks on their boots to take the turns and control speed; typically, sitting up for the turns and lying back for the straights.

Naseby coach, Canadian representative player, Greg Jones said to do well in the sport requires good concentration, skills and an ability to handle pressure. "You have to have good coordination to move quickly, and you have to be able to think even quicker," he said.

Conditions were good on the 360 metre-long, 10-curve track, with packed snow under an ice surface. Because of the uncharacteristically warm weather, snow was transported to the luge in the preceding days and packed on. Glycol pipes from the nearby Maniototo Curling International indoor rink, helped keep it refrigerated.

Set in Naseby's Black Forest, the Naseby Luge is the only natural luge in the southern hemisphere. Since its inception last year, it has held training camps each winter, allowing athletes from outside the district the good opportunity to participate.