About USA Bobsled & Skeleton
USA Bobsled & Skeleton is the national governing body for two of the fastest and most adrenaline-filled sports in the Winter Olympics. Athletes race down icy tracks at incredible speeds, navigating tight turns and steep drops with precision, strength, and control. In bobsled, teams work together to push, load, and steer sleds, while skeleton athletes race headfirst down the track on a small sled, relying on skill and fearlessness.
Both sports demand explosive power, sharp reflexes, and technical mastery, making them a thrilling showcase of speed, teamwork, and courage on ice.
Olympic Bobsled & Skeleton History
Bobsled made its Olympic debut at the 1902 Winter Olympics and became an official Olympic sport at the 1924 Winter Olympics, the first Winter Games. Skeleton also has deep roots, first appearing at the 1928 Winter Olympics and later returning permanently to the Olympic program at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Over time, both sports have evolved with advancements in sled technology, track design, and athlete training, leading to faster speeds and tighter competition.
The United States has been a strong competitor in Olympic bobsled and skeleton, earning numerous medals across both sports. Team USA has produced standout athletes such as Steven Holcomb, who led the famous “Night Train” team to gold in the four-man event at the 2010 Winter Olympics, ending a 62-year gold medal drought. In skeleton, Noelle Pikus-Pace and Katie Uhlaender have been key figures, with Pikus-Pace winning silver at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
More recently, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Team USA celebrated a historic moment as Elana Meyers Taylor captured her first Olympic gold medal after competing in six Olympic Games, solidifying her legacy as one of the sport’s most accomplished athletes. In the same Games, Team USA also earned a bronze medal from two-time Olympians Jasmine Jones and Kaillie Humphries.
Events
Overview of Events
Olympic bobsled and skeleton feature fast-paced events that test speed, strength, and precision. Bobsled includes two-man, two-woman, four-man, and women’s monobob, combining powerful starts with precise driving. Skeleton features men’s and women’s individual races, where athletes slide headfirst down the track, relying on control and technique.
Qualification Process
Follow athletes on their journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics as they compete in international events to earn points and qualify for Team USA.
Team USA Events
Check out all the events Team USA athletes competed in on the road to Milano Cortina 2026.
| name | sport | Education | hometown | age | Medals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hakeem Abdul-Saboor Olympian 2018, 2022 Sport: Bobsled Education: University of Virginia at Wise Hometown: Powhatan, VA Age: 38 | Bobsled | University of Virginia at Wise | Powhatan, VA | 38 | |||||
 Adrian Adams Sport: Bobsled Education: NC A&T State University, North Carolina Tech Hometown: Reidsville, NC Age: 40 | Bobsled | NC A&T State University, North Carolina Tech | Reidsville, NC | 40 | |||||
 | Bobsled | Evanston, IL | 39 | ||||||
 Tracey Anderson Sport: Skeleton Education: University of Cincinnati '01, B.S. in Criminal Justice and a minor in Law Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT Age: 48 | Skeleton | University of Cincinnati '01, B.S. in Criminal Justice and a minor in Law | Salt Lake City, UT | 48 | |||||
 Matt Antoine Olympian 2014, 2018 Sport: Skeleton Education: California University of Pennsylvania Hometown: Prairie du Chien, WI Age: 41 Number of olympic medals this Athlete has won
| Skeleton | California University of Pennsylvania | Prairie du Chien, WI | 41 | Number of olympic medals this Athlete has won
| ||||
 | Bobsled | Dartmouth College | Kansas City, MO | 25 | |||||
 Emily Azevedo Olympian 2010 Sport: Bobsled Education: University of California Davis '05, Exercise Biology Hometown: Chico, CA Age: 43 | Bobsled | University of California Davis '05, Exercise Biology | Chico, CA | 43 | |||||
 | Bobsled | Moravia, NY | 60 | ||||||
 Dan Barefoot Olympian 2026 Sport: Skeleton Education: Pennsylvania State University Hometown: Johnstown, PA Age: 35 | Skeleton | Pennsylvania State University | Johnstown, PA | 35 | |||||
 | Bobsled | Whitehall, NY | 31 | ||||||
Equipment
Sleds
Bobsleds are sleek, aerodynamic sleds designed for speed and teamwork, featuring steering mechanisms and space for two or four athletes. In contrast, skeleton sleds are smaller and simpler, with athletes riding headfirst while using body positioning and subtle movements to steer. Both require precision engineering to maximize speed and control.
The Track
Olympic bobsled and skeleton competitions take place on refrigerated ice tracks featuring long straightaways, sharp curves, and steep drops. These tracks are specifically designed to challenge athletes’ skill and push speeds beyond 80–90 mph, making precision and track knowledge essential.