Luge Standout Sidelined By Snowboarding Mishap

Duncan Kennedy, the top racer in U.S. luge history, dislocated his left shoulder while sliding - on a snowboard.

Kennedy was hurt earlier this month while vacationing at Crested Butte, Colo. He said the injury occurred during a left turn.

“While I was laying down the turn, I had my left hand down and felt my hand get pulled back,” Kennedy said. “The medical people there X-rayed it and told me it was clean. There are no bone chips, but it (the shoulder) was way out.”

Kennedy, who has won 21 World Cup medals, is expected to recover fully in time to qualify for his fourth Winter Olympics.

“We are expecting a 100 percent recovery and no recurrence of the problem,” strength and conditioning coach Dan Smith said.

Kennedy will be immobilized three weeks.