Former U.S. luge star and coach Duncan Kennedy, left, and Shiva Keshavan pose for a photo with Keshavan’s new sled at Mount Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid. Photo provided

LAKE PLACID – Thoughts of India may not bring to mind winter sports like luge. However, that won’t be the case for long if Shiva Keshavan has anything to do with it.

Keshavan has joined forces with former U.S. luge coach and technical director Duncan Kennedy, and they are taking his game to the next level. Keshavan, a five-time Olympian, began training at the Mount Van Hoevenberg sliding track earlier this month.

Kennedy takes on the role as full-time coach and technician for Keshavan in what could be a major turning point in the slider’s career. Kennedy is a three-time Olympian himself, and is known for being America’s first-ever World Cup luge winner. He is the most decorated slider in U.S. luge history with 21 world medals to his credit.

Though Keshavan has represented India in the Olympics, this will be the first time in 18 years that he will have a personal coach. Hailed as the fastest man in Asia, this two-time Asian champion is a pioneer for his country in winter sports, winning all six of the country’s international medals in winter sports so far. The FIL-sponsored talent scout program discovered him in 1996 at a roller luge camp in the Himalayas.

Team India is currently developing their new sleds, in a collaboration between Kennedy and Clarkson University. They are also supported by a team of Indian engineers.

Shiva Keshavan makes a run down the Mount Van Hoevenberg sliding track. Photo provided

Team India has begun testing the new equipment on the quality ice provided by the Lake Placid sliding center. They are excited after having finished their first week of training at Lake Placid’s world-class facilities and have plans for this track to be Shiva’s home away from home.

“Three things will help us convert our existing Asian accomplishments to world and Olympic levels: adequate training and exposure to competition, expert and dedicated coaching, and equipment that uses cutting-edge technology,” Keshavan said.

Keshavan and Kennedy are still waiting to hear if the India Sports Ministry will support Keshavan in funding the full-time coach, but either way, the Indian Luge Team is firming up its plans for the next four years with Kennedy involved.

Keshavan’s training heats up this winter as he sets his eye on the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.

“Yeah, it’s an ambitious project because we’re up against big nations with big budgets, but that’s what I like about it – we are the underdog,” Kennedy said. “This partnership is about making him go as fast as possible.”

Team India plans to join the FIL Luge World Cup circuit at the Viessman World Cup at Lake Placid on Dec. 1.

Both Keshavan and Kennedy are working in Lake Placid through the World Cup in December.