Veronica Maria Rabena, a 27-year-old luge athlete from Argentina, has established herself as a pioneer for women's luge in South America, competing in her third Olympic Games. She recalls her journey starting at the age of 11, a period during which she has never felt afraid on the luge despite the high speeds reaching up to 140 kilometers per hour. Rabena made history as the youngest South American woman to compete in luge at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, and she continued to break barriers by qualifying for the Beijing 2022 Olympics as the first South American woman to compete in two consecutive Olympic Games in her sport.

Despite her achievements, Rabena faces significant challenges in her career. The infrastructure and support for luge in Argentina have not improved significantly since her debut, and she continues to be the sole representative for her country in the event at the current Olympics, while most of her compatriots participate in skiing. The financial pressures and the emotional toll of injuries have led her to contemplate retirement. However, her passion for the sport and her commitment to advocating for better conditions for women in luge keep her motivated to continue competing.

As the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics approach, Rabena's dedication to the sport is underscored by her desire to advocate for the next generation of female athletes. She hopes that by sharing her knowledge and experiences, she can help improve the conditions for women in luge and inspire future competitors to follow in her footsteps, showing that it is possible to succeed in a sport traditionally dominated by other nations and genders.