Bengt Walden

Bengt Otto Walden (born April 16, 1973 in Nacka) is a retired Swedish-born, American luger who has competed since 1985, internationally since 1988, when he joined the Swedish national team. He married American luger Ashley Hayden in 2006,[1] and joined the United States national team in 2007.[2] He switched his citizenship from Sweden to the United States in 2009 in order to be able to compete as an American at the 2010 Olympics.[1] Walden retired from competition after the 2010-11 season.[3] Subsequently, he was appointed as coach of the Norwegian national luge team.[4]

Bengt Walden
Walden in 2017
Personal information
Full nameBengt Otto Walden
BornApril 16, 1973 (1973-04-16) (age 50)
Nacka, Sweden
Sport
Country Sweden
 United States
SportLuge

Career

He finished 23rd in the men's singles event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City competing for Sweden.[2] He competed at the 2010 Winter Olympics for the United States, finishing 15th.[5]

Walden has competed twice for the US in the World Luge Championships, as well as once for the Swedish team. In 2007, he placed 13th, competing for Sweden. Competing for the US, he placed 12th in 2008, and sixth in 2009.[6]

References
  1. "Bengt Walden biography". NBC. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  2. "Bengt Walden". USA Luge. Archived from the original on January 21, 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  3. "Tony Benshoof rejoins US national luge team - Bengt Walden retires". Federation internationale de luge de course. 4 May 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  4. "Bengt Walden now coach in Norway". Federation internationale de luge de course. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  5. "Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Qualifications". USA Luge. Archived from the original on January 30, 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  6. "Bengt Walden". The Associated Press. Archived from the original on January 13, 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2010.


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