Frank Del Duca: Soldier, Bobsled Star and Flag‑Bearer Extraordinaire

Frank Del Duca is a U.S. Army sergeant who also races on the world’s icy tracks as a top‑ranked bobsled pilot. In February 2026 he carried the American flag at the opening ceremony in Milan, becoming the first bobsledder to do so in seventy years.

Early Athletic Roots

• State champion slalom skier and triple jumper in Maine
• University of Maine: long‑jump title & American football for a local AAA team

Transition to Bobsledding

• 2015: Joined the Army World Class Athlete Program
• Started as a brakeman, later became a pilot after missing the 2018 Olympic squad
• Beijing 2022: Thirteenth place in both two‑man and four‑man events
• 2026: Ranked fourth worldwide in the two‑man bobsled standings

Personal Background

• Heritage: Italian (Neapolitan and Sicilian roots) & American
• Father owns restaurants in Bethel, Maine
• Born in Florida; raised in Maine with strong ties to Italian culture

Family Life

• Married Haley (nurse) in 2015
• Two sons: Sebastian and Lorenzo
• Haley travels with him to training sites, providing crucial support

Financial Reality

• Earns a salary as an infantry sergeant
• Bobsledding is not lucrative; high equipment and travel costs often leave him in the red
• Frequently reallocates military pay to cover expenses

Legacy

Frank Del Duca’s journey from Maine’s mountains to Milan’s Olympic stadium illustrates the intersection of discipline, heritage, and passion—making him a true dual‑sport icon.