Duncan Kennedy (luge)
Encyclopedia
Duncan Kennedy is an American
luger
who competed from 1979 to 1997. He is best known for being the first American to win a Luge World Cup event when he won at the Sigulda track
in early 1991 in the Soviet Union
(now Latvia
). Kennedy's best overall finish in the Luge World Cup was second twice, earning them in 1991-2 and 1993-4.
Competing in three Winter Olympics, Kennedy earned his best finish of tenth in the men's singles event at Albertville
in 1992
.
After retiring from competitive luge due to bleeding around the brain stem, Kennedy became a development coach for USA Luge, a position he still holds as of 2008. He was named a coach of the year for USA Luge in 2002.
During the 2002
, 2006
and 2010 Winter Olympics
, Kennedy served as a television
commentator for the luge
competitions for NBC Sports
in the United States
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
luger
Luge
A Luge is a small one- or two-person sled on which one sleds supine and feet-first. Steering is done by flexing the sled's runners with the calf of each leg or exerting opposite shoulder pressure to the seat. Racing sleds weigh 21-25 kilograms for singles and 25-30 kilograms for doubles. Luge...
who competed from 1979 to 1997. He is best known for being the first American to win a Luge World Cup event when he won at the Sigulda track
Sigulda bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track
The Sigulda bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track is located in Sigulda, Latvia. Currently, the track manager is Dainis Dukurs, former bobsleigh brakeman and the father of skeleton racers Martins and Tomass Dukurs.-History:...
in early 1991 in the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
(now Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
). Kennedy's best overall finish in the Luge World Cup was second twice, earning them in 1991-2 and 1993-4.
Competing in three Winter Olympics, Kennedy earned his best finish of tenth in the men's singles event at Albertville
Albertville
Albertville is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.The town is best known for hosting the 1992 Winter Olympics.-Geography:...
in 1992
1992 Winter Olympics
The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
.
After retiring from competitive luge due to bleeding around the brain stem, Kennedy became a development coach for USA Luge, a position he still holds as of 2008. He was named a coach of the year for USA Luge in 2002.
During the 2002
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
, 2006
2006 Winter Olympics
The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...
and 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
, Kennedy served as a television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
commentator for the luge
Luge
A Luge is a small one- or two-person sled on which one sleds supine and feet-first. Steering is done by flexing the sled's runners with the calf of each leg or exerting opposite shoulder pressure to the seat. Racing sleds weigh 21-25 kilograms for singles and 25-30 kilograms for doubles. Luge...
competitions for NBC Sports
NBC Sports
NBC Sports is the sports division of the NBC television network. Formerly "a service of NBC News," it broadcasts a diverse array of programs, including the Olympic Games, the NFL, the NHL, MLS, Notre Dame football, the PGA Tour, the Triple Crown, and the French Open, among others...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.