Connie Carpenter-Phinney
Encyclopedia
Connie Carpenter Phinney (born February 26, 1957 in Madison, Wisconsin
) is an American
former racing cyclist and speed skater who won four medals in World Cycling Championship competitions (both road and track cycling) in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She also won the Gold medal in the cycling road race at the 1984 Summer Olympics
in Los Angeles
, as well as twelve U.S. national championships. She remains the youngest American woman to compete at the Winter Olympics
Before turning to cycling, Carpenter was a speed skater, one of many athletes who excelled in both sports. As a speed skater, she competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics
where she finished 7th in the 1500m - she was fourteen years old at the time, making her the youngest American female Winter Olympian. In 1976, she won the U.S. national overall outdoor title, but an injury prevented her competing in the Olympics that year.
Carpenter had trained on a bicycle during the off-season and, after the ankle injury in 1976 she began racing on the bike. In 1976, 1977, and 1979, she won the U.S. national road and track pursuit championships. Later, she added a pair of national criterium championships to her resume before winning the Olympic Gold medal in 1984. She won the race in a sprint over fellow American Rebecca Twigg.
While a student at the University of California, Berkeley
her athletic career centered around rowing. She was a member of Cal's varsity for two seasons. In 1979, her varsity finished second nationally, and in 1980 she reached the top of the collegiate rowing world with a national championship in the varsity four.
Carpenter Phinney is married to fellow Olympic cycling medalist Davis Phinney
, with whom she has two children, Taylor
and Kelsey. Taylor competed at the 2008 Olympics, the eighteen year old coming seventh in the individual pursuit
.
She was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame
in 2001.
She
is a member of both the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame
and the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in addition to others.
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former racing cyclist and speed skater who won four medals in World Cycling Championship competitions (both road and track cycling) in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She also won the Gold medal in the cycling road race at the 1984 Summer Olympics
1984 Summer Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, as well as twelve U.S. national championships. She remains the youngest American woman to compete at the Winter Olympics
Before turning to cycling, Carpenter was a speed skater, one of many athletes who excelled in both sports. As a speed skater, she competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics
1972 Winter Olympics
The 1972 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated from February 3 to February 13, 1972 in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan...
where she finished 7th in the 1500m - she was fourteen years old at the time, making her the youngest American female Winter Olympian. In 1976, she won the U.S. national overall outdoor title, but an injury prevented her competing in the Olympics that year.
Carpenter had trained on a bicycle during the off-season and, after the ankle injury in 1976 she began racing on the bike. In 1976, 1977, and 1979, she won the U.S. national road and track pursuit championships. Later, she added a pair of national criterium championships to her resume before winning the Olympic Gold medal in 1984. She won the race in a sprint over fellow American Rebecca Twigg.
While a student at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
her athletic career centered around rowing. She was a member of Cal's varsity for two seasons. In 1979, her varsity finished second nationally, and in 1980 she reached the top of the collegiate rowing world with a national championship in the varsity four.
Carpenter Phinney is married to fellow Olympic cycling medalist Davis Phinney
Davis Phinney
Davis Phinney is a former professional road bicycle racer from the United States. He was known as a fast sprinter, and claims to have won the most races in American history. In 1986, he became the first American to win a stage at the Tour de France, while riding on the American-based team 7-Eleven...
, with whom she has two children, Taylor
Taylor Phinney
Taylor Phinney is a world champion American racing cyclist, specialising on the track in individual pursuit. He is the son of former professional racing cyclist Davis Phinney and former Olympic gold medal racing cyclist and speed skater Connie Carpenter-Phinney...
and Kelsey. Taylor competed at the 2008 Olympics, the eighteen year old coming seventh in the individual pursuit
Cycling at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's individual pursuit
The Men's individual pursuit at the 2008 Summer Olympics took place on August 16 at the Laoshan Velodrome. The pre-event favorite to win the gold medal was the defending Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins of Great Britain, who managed to retain the title, setting a new Olympic record in the...
.
She was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame
Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame
The Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame is a promenade in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, dedicated to honoring distinguished members of Wisconsin's sports history. New members are honored at a biennial banquet.-History:...
in 2001.
She
is a member of both the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame
United States Bicycling Hall of Fame
The United States Bicycling Hall of Fame, located in Davis, California, is a private organization formed to preserve and promote the sport of cycling.-Location:...
and the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in addition to others.
Education
- BA Physical Education, University of California, BerkeleyUniversity of California, BerkeleyThe University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
, 1981 - MS Kinesiology (University of Colorado) 1990