CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – The quest for gold in women’s two-woman bobsled begins Friday at the Cortina Sliding Centre, with the first run scheduled for Noon ET and the second at 1:50 p.m. ET. The United States will be looking to reclaim the top spot on the podium in this event, a title they last held at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, where Jill Bakken and Vonetta Flowers made history as the first female bobsledders to win Olympic gold.
While the U.S. Hasn’t reached the pinnacle since that historic win, they boast a strong record in the event, accumulating six silver and bronze medals. A significant portion of that success belongs to Elana Meyers Taylor, who has secured four of those medals throughout her career. The competition is expected to be fierce, with Germany also poised to contend for gold, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown on the Italian track.
Meyers Taylor Aims for Seventh Olympic Medal
Elana Meyers Taylor enters the competition fresh off a gold medal victory in the women’s monobob on Monday, adding to her already impressive Olympic collection. She will pilot the No. 6-seeded sled, seeking her seventh Olympic medal overall. Alongside Meyers Taylor is Jadin O’Brien, a former collegiate National Champion heptathlete who remarkably began her bobsled journey only in September 2025. Meyers Taylor has a remarkable record of consistency, having never missed the Olympic podium in this event, and is the defending bronze medalist.
Humphries Looks for Two-Woman Gold with Team USA
Kaillie Humphries, a monobob bronze medalist, is considered the most accomplished woman currently competing in the two-woman event. While she previously found success representing Canada, winning gold at the Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, she now competes for Team USA. Humphries and her push athlete, Jasmine Jones, who is making her Olympic debut, recently demonstrated their prowess by winning the World Cup race at St. Moritz on January 10, earning them the No. 2 seed. Humphries is aiming for her first two-woman gold medal as a member of the American team.
Novel Faces and Rising Stars
Kaysha Love will craft her debut as a pilot in this Olympic competition, having previously competed as a push athlete in the two-woman event at the Beijing 2022 Games. She will be joined by Azaria Hill, and the pair are seeded eighth among the 25 sleds competing. This marks a new chapter for Love, transitioning from a supporting role to leading the team down the track.
The Cortina Sliding Centre is known for its challenging course, demanding precision and skill from the athletes. The track’s intricacies will test the pilots and push athletes, requiring seamless coordination and unwavering focus. The combination of experienced veterans like Meyers Taylor and Humphries, alongside emerging talents like Love, promises a captivating competition.
The United States has a rich history in women’s bobsled, and the current team is determined to add to that legacy. Vonetta Flowers, who alongside Jill Bakken secured that first gold medal in 2002, also broke barriers as the first Black person – from any country – to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics, according to the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. That pioneering spirit continues to inspire the current generation of athletes.
As the athletes prepare for Friday’s competition, the anticipation is building. The two-woman bobsled event is a testament to the dedication, athleticism, and teamwork required to excel at the highest level of winter sports. The world will be watching as these incredible women push their limits in pursuit of Olympic glory.
The next runs are scheduled for Friday, February 20th, beginning at Noon ET. Further updates and results will be available on the official Olympics website and through NBC Olympics coverage.
What are your predictions for the two-woman bobsled competition? Share your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to share this article with fellow winter sports enthusiasts.
