Maine Diner Owner's Son Pilots Olympic Bobsled Team
Frank Del Duca Jr., who once flipped pizzas at his family's Bethel diner, will pilot Team USA's four-man bobsled at the 2026 Milan Olympics. His father serves breakfast to proud locals while preparing to watch his son chase Olympic glory.
While Frank Del Duca Sr. flips eggs and pancakes at Crossroads Diner in Bethel, Maine, his son is preparing to pilot the USA-1 bobsled at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
Frank Del Duca Jr., 34, earned his spot on Team USA after ranking fourth in World Cup standings. The hometown hero will compete in both the two-man and four-man bobsled events alongside teammates Josh Williamson, Boone Niederhofer, and Bryan Sosoo.
This marks his second Olympic appearance. He finished 13th at the 2022 Beijing Games, but his father believes this year could be different.
"This team, who knows what they are going to pull off?" Del Duca Sr. said, standing at the grill in his Team USA sweatshirt. "They have American grit, American spirit."
The pride extends beyond family to the entire Bethel community. Diner regulars like Randall Probert and Bob Buker have watched Del Duca Jr. grow up in their small town.
"Imagine if he comes home with a medal? He's worked hard for this," Probert said.
Buker remembers when the young athlete worked at the very same diner before trading pizza flipping for piloting sleds down icy tracks at 80 miles per hour. "Frankie was fantastic at flipping those pizzas," Buker said with a smile. "It's just something he didn't want to do."
The Ripple Effect
Del Duca Sr. is organizing a community gathering on February 4 at Sunday River ski resort where supporters can celebrate together. He plans to FaceTime his son during the event so the town can share their encouragement directly.
Days later, the family will travel to Milan with Del Duca Jr.'s wife Haley and their grandchildren Sebastian and Lorenzo. For the Del Ducas, the Olympics represent more than competition.
"When these kids are all together, and you watch them interacting, 30 nations interacting with each other, it's a beautiful conversation," Del Duca Sr. said. "They support each other, yet they compete with each other."
The diner now displays Olympic merchandise, turning breakfast into a celebration of local achievement. The four-man bobsled race is scheduled for February 21 at 4 a.m. Eastern Time.
A small Maine town that raised a pizza-flipping kid will be watching when he represents America on the world's biggest stage.
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Based on reporting by Google News - Olympic Medal
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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