Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

Curbing underage drinking focus of campaign

Local Olympian Clukey spokeswoman for beer and wine distributors

By Betty Adams badams@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

AUGUSTA -- Julia Clukey had a group of youngsters enthralled with the first question:

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Luger Julia Clukey and Nick Alberding, president of Maine Beer and Wine Distributors and managing partner of Pine State Trading Co., pose for a photo at the Kennebec Valley YMCA last week.

Staff photo by Joe Phelan

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"How many of you go sledding in winter?" she asked.

Almost all the hands shot up.

"That's what I do for a job!"

Clukey, 25, of Augusta, best known for competing in this year's Winter Olympics in the luge and as a member of the U.S. National Luge Team, was doing her new job: role model and spokeswoman for the Maine Beer and Wine Distributors group.

Clukey is tall and tanned with shoulder-length blonde hair, and looks thinner in person than she does in a short video that shows her competing on the narrow sled.

She's well-spoken, her voice animated and enthusiastic when she shares the thrill of hurtling down the curving course at 80-plus mph.

Her public demeanor, her work ethic and her Maine origin all combined to put her at the top of the list when the beer and wine distributors group sought to begin a campaign encouraging the public -- and particularly young people -- to take responsibility for their actions, said Nick Alberding, president of Maine Beer and Wine Distributors and managing partner of Pine State Trading Co., which has offices in Augusta and Gardiner.

"I knew when I met her it was the perfect fit," Alberding said.

Clukey has recorded a series of public service messages about the consequences of underage drinking. She's also toured local high schools to deliver a message of making the right choices regarding underage drinking.

Her message is a positive one: If you drink, be responsible, designate a sober driver and remember that it's illegal for anyone under 21 to drink or purchase alcohol.

"Let's all work together to stay on the same track and keep Maine safe," she tells listeners in one public service announcement.

The message is vital for the beer and wine distributors' group, which describes itself as "an important part of Maine's alcohol regulatory system, serving as the link between beer and wine producers and more than 4,500 Maine grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants, bars and other retail locations licensed to sell alcohol to Maine consumers."

The organization's website offers an glimpse of the economic impact: "With annual sales of more than $330 million and more than $4.7 million in state income, payroll and property taxes paid each year, Maine beer and wine distributors represent one of the state's largest and most stable industries."

Alberding declined to say how much money the association was spending to sponsor Clukey.

"Julia would have done this for free, for sure," he said. "Her message to me was, 'I've been away and looking to reconnect, and this will give me a platform.'"

The group has agreed to sponsor her economically "for the foreseeable future," Alberding said. "We are all proud of her accomplishments."

Clukey said the sponsorship is working out well.

She has yet to put an association sticker on her sled, which is being tuned up in New York. A major concern is whether it might fall off during a race, which would automatically disqualify her, she said.

Athletes can accept donations, receive gym memberships and other in-kind donations. Rules governing the athletes, as well as information about the sport of luge, are posted on the Internet at www.usaluge.org. The sport is governed by the International Luge Federation.

The amount of money needed for her to pursue her sport varies from year to year, she said, ramping up as it gets closer to the Olympic competition. Her sights are set on the Winter Games of 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

"I still work in the off season and will still seek funding later, but (the sponsorship deal has) been a big help," Clukey said.

Clukey has been earning her sponsorship fee speaking in classrooms, to gatherings of athletes and to the public in general.

She talked at Cony, Winthrop, Sanford, Wayneflete, St. Dominic's and Chelsea schools among others, sometimes speaking at two schools a day.

Her debut came at Gardiner Area High School, where she was welcomed by principal Chad Kempton.

"We want the public and elected officials and people in Maine to know we business owners are parents, community members, philanthropic, and we care," Alberding said.

Clukey said the public speaking engagements are a way for her to reconnect to her home community and share her experience.

"I know from being in high school that kids need something to look up to," she said.

Thursday night, Clukey attended a formal sendoff from the Kennebec Valley YMCA, where Clukey trains at least four and five times a week when she's in Augusta.

Her Olympic bib and gloves and a photo of her at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver are enshrined in a glass case at the YMCA and were unveiled to the public Thursday.

She is departing this weekend for six weeks of training at Lake Placid, N.Y., and then will head for Europe to compete on the World Cup tour.

Clukey finished 17th in the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C. Her top world finish was fifth in the 2009 World Championship.

"My biggest goal is to maintain my health," she said.

Betty Adams -- 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com