 |
Personal reflections on the first week in Torino...
It has now been five days since my Olympic Competition, and I have had some time to reflect on my performance here in Torino. Although I did not reach the podium, I don't feel I have failed. Unquestionably, it was the most exciting race I have ever been involved in, and I can honestly say I did my best. In the end there were only three men faster than me on the most important race of my life.... I can't really complain about that!
My plan from here to the completion of the Games is to support team USA in every way I can! I have been seeing a lot of other venues and plan to keep cheering until the Closing Ceremonies. Thank you all for your support and encouragement during this exciting time.
« back to main Athlete Spotlight page
|
|
|
|
|
Tony Benshoof
Born: July 7, 1975, St. Paul, MN
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 200 lbs.
Resides in White Bear Lake, MN
Best-Ever Results:
| • |
|
Finished 17th at 2002 XIX Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA |
| • |
|
Included in 2002 Guinness World Records Book for establishing the highest-ever recorded luge speed (86.6 mph) on Oct. 16, 2001 |
| • |
|
USA Luge's all-time singles leader in int'l medals won, 25 (5 gold, 8 silver, 12 bronze) |
| • |
|
A two-time (2004 & 2005) World Championship team event silver medallist, a 2001 world championship team event bronze medallist |
| • |
|
Raced to eight medals in 2003-04 (2 gold, 1 silver, five bronze) |
| • |
|
A two-time fall 2003 Challenge Cup gold medallist (Altenberg, Germany, Park City, Utah) |
| • |
|
Set new Altenberg, Germany track record of 54.240 (Nov. 23, 2003) |
| • |
|
Six-time Verizon U.S. National Champion (2000, 200, 2002, 2004, 2005 & 2005-06) |
| • |
|
Three-time Verizon North American Champion (2000, 2001 & 2004) |
2005-06 Results:
| • |
|
2005-06 World Cup results: 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, DSQ, 2nd |
| • |
|
A fall 2005 World Cup team event gold medallist (Dec. 10, 2005) |
| • |
|
A fall 2005 World Cup team event bronze medallist (Dec. 17) |
| • |
|
2005-06 Verizon U.S. national champion |
Fun Facts:
| • |
|
Tony enjoys playing classical piano |
| • |
|
Says the person that he would most like to meet is Jimmy Buffett |
| • |
|
When at home, Tony enjoys riding his 2004 VTX 1800 motorcycle |
| • |
|
Outside of luge, Tony's favorite activity is water skiing on White Bear Lake, in Minnesota |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
| These athletes carry the hopes of a nation on their shoulders as they compete for Gold in Torino. |
|
|
|
|
