Jill Bakken

Jill Bakken, born on January twenty-fifth, nineteen seventy-seven, is a distinguished American bobsledder and coach who has made significant contributions to the sport since her debut in nineteen ninety-four. As a driver, she achieved remarkable success alongside her partner Vonetta Flowers, clinching the gold medal in the Bobsleigh event at the 2002 Winter Olympics, marking a historic moment for the United States.

Throughout her career, Bakken showcased her talent on the international stage, with her best finish in the Bobsleigh World Cup being second place in the two-woman event during the nineteen ninety-nine to two-thousand season. At the time of her Olympic triumph, she was not only an athlete but also a Specialist in the Utah Army National Guard, supported by the Army World Class Athlete Program.

Jill's academic journey includes graduating from Lake Washington High School and later transferring to Eastern Washington University in two thousand five. She also attended the University of Utah and Oregon State University, where she played one season of soccer as a defender, demonstrating her versatility as an athlete.

Currently, Bakken serves as a driving coach for the Canadian bobsleigh team, sharing her expertise and passion for the sport. She is married to Florian Linder, who is also a coach for the Canadian bobsled team, further intertwining their professional lives in the world of bobsleigh.