Erica Terwillegar was the first American to win a medal in an international luge competition, taking a silver at the 1981 Junior Grosser Preis race in Innsbruck, Austria. Terwillegar was an all-around athlete at Lake Placid High school, playing soccer, basketball, and softball, and graduating in 1981. She made the US team in 1981 and was the 1983 North American and 1986 US Champion. Her best finish at a World Championships was fifth in 1983. Terwillegar retired after the 1988 Winter Olympics, but came back to sliding in 1990. She was also a part-time model and has worked in the fashion world.
United States