Christopher Hedquist
Encyclopedia
Christopher Hedquist is an American
skeleton racer
. In 2004 he won the overall Europa Cup, becoming the first American ever to win the title. He won gold at the 2005 World University Games in Innsbruck
, Austria. He was an alternate in the 2006 Winter Olympics
in Torino, Italy.
Chris initially started competing on ice in the sport of luge
at age 12, but switched to skeleton (sport)
in 2002. In his rookie season he won a bronze medal at the U.S. National Championships, a silver medal at the U.S. Junior Championships, and was the top U.S. finisher at the Junior World Championships 2003 in Königssee
where he placed fourth.
The qualification for the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin
narrowly missed Hedquist and he was named an alternate to the 2006 team following the doping controversy of teammate Zach Lund
, and firing of the Head Coach over allegations of sexual harassment. During the Games, Hedquist coached fellow Irish athlete David Connolly
, and South African Tyler Botha
.
Since 2006 he starts regularly in the World Cup. He finished the 2006/2007 season ranked 7th within the overall World Cup. He joined in his first FIBT World Championships
in St.Moritz, Switzerland
where he placed twentieth.
Career highlights include: Bronze Medal 2003 U.S. National Championships, 4th 2003 Junior World Championships, 2004 Overall European Cup Champion, Gold 2005 World Universiade
, 7th overall 2006-2007 World Cup
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
skeleton racer
Skeleton (sport)
Skeleton is a fast winter sliding sport in which an individual person rides a small sled down a frozen track while lying face down, during which athletes experience forces up to 5g. It originated in St. Moritz, Switzerland as a spin-off from the popular British sport of Cresta Sledding...
. In 2004 he won the overall Europa Cup, becoming the first American ever to win the title. He won gold at the 2005 World University Games in Innsbruck
Innsbruck
- Main sights :- Buildings :*Golden Roof*Kaiserliche Hofburg *Hofkirche with the cenotaph of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor*Altes Landhaus...
, Austria. He was an alternate in the 2006 Winter Olympics
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...
in Torino, Italy.
Chris initially started competing on ice in the sport of 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...
at age 12, but switched to skeleton (sport)
Skeleton (sport)
Skeleton is a fast winter sliding sport in which an individual person rides a small sled down a frozen track while lying face down, during which athletes experience forces up to 5g. It originated in St. Moritz, Switzerland as a spin-off from the popular British sport of Cresta Sledding...
in 2002. In his rookie season he won a bronze medal at the U.S. National Championships, a silver medal at the U.S. Junior Championships, and was the top U.S. finisher at the Junior World Championships 2003 in Königssee
Königssee
The Königssee is a lake located in the extreme southeast Berchtesgadener Land district of the German state of Bavaria, near the border with Austria...
where he placed fourth.
The qualification for the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
narrowly missed Hedquist and he was named an alternate to the 2006 team following the doping controversy of teammate Zach Lund
Zach Lund
Zach Lund is an American skeleton racer who has competed since 2000. He won two bronze medals at the FIBT World Championships with one in 2007 and one in 2008 . He finished #1 in World Cup standings in 2007.-Personal life:Zach was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is the youngest of 5...
, and firing of the Head Coach over allegations of sexual harassment. During the Games, Hedquist coached fellow Irish athlete David Connolly
David Connolly
David James Connolly is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Southampton. He has previously played for various clubs including Feyenoord and Excelsior in the Netherlands as well as Wigan Athletic and Sunderland in the Premier League.Although born in England, Connolly has...
, and South African Tyler Botha
Tyler Botha
Tyler Botha is a South African skeleton racer who competed from 2003 to 2006. He finished 21st in the men's skeleton event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin....
.
Since 2006 he starts regularly in the World Cup. He finished the 2006/2007 season ranked 7th within the overall World Cup. He joined in his first FIBT World Championships
FIBT World Championships
The FIBT World Championships, part of the Fédération Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing , have taken place on an annual basis in non-Winter Olympic years since 1930. A two-man event was included in 1931 with a combined championship occurring in 1947...
in St.Moritz, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
where he placed twentieth.
Career highlights include: Bronze Medal 2003 U.S. National Championships, 4th 2003 Junior World Championships, 2004 Overall European Cup Champion, Gold 2005 World Universiade
Universiade
The Universiade is an International multi-sport event, organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation . The name is a combination of the words "University" and "olympiad"...
, 7th overall 2006-2007 World Cup