Kristian Ipsen, the 19-year-old Stanford student who this week scored a bronze medal in the men’s synchronized springboard diving competition, just happens to be part of the family that owns Skipolini’s Pizza, with five locations in the East Bay and beyond (Walnut Creek, Concord, Antioch, Rocklin, and Clayton). Skipolini’s is famed in those parts for their Prego Pizza, which for thirty years has allegedly been helping expectant mothers who are past their due date to induce labor. It’s basically an “everything” pie, loaded with thirteen toppings plus extra garlic and onions, and there are dozens of women who attest to its magical powers.
The first Skipolini’s was opened by Kristian’s grandparents, Bev and Skip Ipsen, in Clayton in 1974, and Kristian’s dad, Kent Ipsen, opened the other four locations beginning in the mid-nineties. Kristian was born in Walnut Creek, and his family now lives in Clayton.
Kristian tells Stanford’s alumni magazine:
I love Stanford but the one thing I miss about home is being able order free pizza whenever I want it. For that reason alone I am trying to convince my Dad to open a Skips in Palo Alto. Growing up, I worked at Skips when I could. I was always busy traveling for diving meets so I would work when I was really needed. Our whole family plays a big part in the opening of new restaurants because it is a pretty stressful process, so I would always work for a few months at each new restaurant after they opened. I would just do simple things like take food to people or do the dishes.
Ipsen and diving partner Troy Dumais just barely eeked out a third-place finish in Wednesday’s synchronized three-meter springboard event, beating a pair of Ukrainians to take home a bronze medal. Ipsen was paired with frequent competitor Dumais, who comes from a long line of divers who had never scored a medal in the sport, so his family was most pleased.
Twister: Diver Kristian Ipsen [Stanford]
