Park City’s luge pioneer Jon Owen retires after more than 30 years

Jon Owen, Park City Luge Coach, Olympian, retires from USA Luge after over three decades. Photo: courtesy of USA Luge

PARK CITY, Utah — USA Luge celebrated the career of longtime employee and Olympian Jon Owen, whose final day with the organization occurred this fall.

Owen announced his retirement from USA Luge, marking the end of a career spanning more than 30 years in support of the organization, its athletes, and the sport of luge.

The word luge is french for sled, and Owen has been the preeminent Park City sled maker all this time. He started working at the first Utah Olympic Park (UOP) the day it first opened.

Since the 1990s, Owen has been the face of USA Luge in Park City, playing an instrumental role in establishing and growing the sport in the region and creating opportunities for young athletes throughout the western United States.

He’s also coached the Wasatch Luge Club (WLC) at the UOP for athletes like Olympic bronze medalist Ashley Farquharson who grew up on Park City’s track via the Youth Sports Alliance.

A 1988 Olympian and 1990 U.S. National Champion, Owen has made an impact on USA Luge in countless ways throughout his career. Among his many contributions, he has:

Introduced thousands of young athletes to the sport by helping build an after-school program and his work with the WLC.
Provided coaching and technical expertise since 1994, helping generations of athletes grow and develop in the sport, including Olympians Preston Griffall, Matt Greiner and Farquharson.
Coached internationally, including serving as coach of the U.S. team at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games.
Twice been recognized as USA Luge Developmental Coach of the Year by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
Served as an athlete representative to the 2002 Olympic Bid Committee, on the Utah Sports Authority Board of Directors from 1996-99, and on the Utah Athletic Foundation Board — now the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation — from 1999-2005.
Developed relationships with technical partners who have helped advance USA Luge’s approach to sled design and development.

Jon also holds a unique place in Park City luge history: He was the first athlete to slide on the Park City track in January 1997.

These accomplishments represent only a snapshot of Jon’s contributions to USA Luge and the growth of the sport in the United States. For more than three decades, he has been a coach, mentor, technical expert and advocate for countless athletes while helping build a lasting luge legacy in Utah.

“Please join us in thanking Jon for his many years of dedication to USA Luge, our athletes and the sport,” USA Luge wrote in a statement. “And in wishing him all the best as he embarks on his next great adventure.”

What are your favorite memories or experiences with Jon Owen and his impact on the luge community in Park City?

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