PROVO -- Taylor Clyde aspires to race down the Olympic luge track his father helped build at the Utah Winter Sports Park.
The 13-year-old Highland lad might just get the chance after his speedy run through a street luge course Wednesday on a gentle slope near The Peaks Ice Arena."I think it's lots of fun," he said. "I'd like to go as far as I can with it."
The Salt Lake Organizing Committee is looking for lots of young people interested in hurtling downhill on a sled, pushing a 300-pound bobsled or lacing up a pair of speed skates.
But it's way too hot for winter sports, you say? No problem.
SLOC bolts in-line skate wheels tothe bottom of sleds, sleighs and skates. It's the X-Games without the edge. SLOC's "Wheels to Winter" program will set up in parking lots and streets along the Wasatch Front through Sept. 6.
Tryouts of sorts will be held in conjunction with America's Freedom Festival at Provo; the Ogden City Street Festival; Pioneer Day in Salt Lake City and Park City's Miners Day.
"We're using this as a recruiting tool. It's open for anyone who wants to come in," said Bob Bills, SLOC director of youth sports.
As many as 150 girls and boys age 9 to 13 will be invited to participate in winter luge camps, where wheels give way to blades and pavement turns to ice. Up to 10 of those youngsters could make the U.S. Luge Association developmental squad. Dozens of other promising athletes will have opportunities to train with the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation.
While it's not hard to get children to give the "sliding" sports a try, Bills said, it's tough to retain them, particularly girls. Other athletic or social endeavors pull even talented teenagers away.
Luge coach and former Olympian John Owen basically watches for children who feel at ease sprawled out on a sled inches above the blacktop as it bobs and weaves through orange cones on a makeshift street course.
"It's how comfortable they are getting into an unnatural position," he said.
Steering the thing takes coordination as lugers use opposing body parts to maintain control. Right shoulder-left leg to turn right, left shoulder-right leg to move left. Subtle movements, especially at high velocity, can result in glaring deviations from the course. It's a finesse sport.
After comfort and control, Owen wants to see the attribute that wins races: speed.
"I could teach a monkey to go down the track, but the idea is to get down the track fast," he said.
International luge racers hit 90 mph on the ice. Wednesday's first-timers topped out at about 30 mph on the road.
Paige DuVal, 13, of Provo, confided in her father Greg DuVal that she was a little nervous because she didn't know what to expect. But the only girl among 18 would-be Olympians fared well, achieving one of the top times in the early morning session.
"At first I was scared because I'd never done it before. But now it's fun," she said.
Taylor Clyde's mother, Cheryl, had no problem with her naturally athletic son getting on a luge, though she admitted watching the X-Games wild street luge competition the night before did unnerve her some.
"He likes speed. He's got a little of the daredevil in him," said Cheryl Clyde, whose husband Jeff works for the contractor that built the luge track near Park City. "He's pretty excited. Of course, he thinks he's going to the Olympics."
Others between the ages of 9 and 28 with that same aspiration may give luge, bobsled or speed skating a try at several locations. Pre-register at www.slc2002.org/kids/wheelstowinter.
Provo/Orem
Speed skating (ages 9-12): July 3 and July 5, 10 a.m. to noon, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., The Peaks Ice Arena parking lot.
Bobsled (ages 15-18, 19-28): July 3, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Orem City Hall.
Ogden, July 17
Luge (ages 9-12): 10 a.m. to noon, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., 22nd Street and Washington Boulevard.
Speed skating (ages 9-12): 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., noon to 2 p.m., 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Ogden Marriott Hotel.
Bobsled (ages 15-18, 19-28): 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Washington Boulevard (downtown).
Salt Lake City, July 24
Luge (ages 9-12): 10 a.m. to noon, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Research Park (below Red Butte Gardens).
Speed skating (ages 9-13): 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Wasatch Elementary School.
Bobsled (ages 15-18, 19-28): 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Liberty Park.
Park City, Sept. 6
Luge (ages 9-13): 10 a.m. to noon, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Lowell Avenue.
Bobsled (ages 15-18, 19-28): 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Miner Park.