Moms Aim for Podium at Bobsled, Skeleton Championships

In Lake Placid, New York, a new amenity has been introduced at the bobsled and skeleton world championships: a family-friendly space within a lodge near the finish line. This room is filled with stuffed animals, a variety of toys, Mickey Mouse coloring books, and large boxes of crayons, specifically designed for families. Its presence highlights a shift in the sliding sports circuit towards accommodating athletes with children.

Currently, there are five mothers competing in the world championships that began on Thursday. These athletes include U.S. skeleton competitor Kelly Curtis, Swiss bobsledder Nadja Pasternack, and American bobsledders Elana Meyers Taylor, Kaillie Humphries, and Jasmine Jones. According to event organizers, this is the highest number of mothers participating at a single world championships.

Each of these athletes had to take breaks from their sport due to pregnancies, including Meyers Taylor, who is now a mother of two and has taken two leaves of absence. In recent years, the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, which governs these sports, implemented policies allowing women to maintain their world rankings during maternity breaks. This means they can re-enter World Cup competitions without losing status, easing their path to the next Olympics in February 2026.

Kaillie Humphries, a three-time Olympic gold medalist in women’s bobsledding, shared her ambition to return to competition after becoming a mother. “I wanted to prove to myself that I could come back and not feed into the narrative that having a baby ends your career,” she explained.

Children of these athletes have garnered attention at the tracks, creating a community feel. Athletes like Meyers Taylor, Humphries, and Curtis have mentioned the importance of support from teammates and families, often traveling together.

Meyers Taylor revealed on social media the challenges she faced with her sons, both born deaf, and one with Down syndrome. Bringing them on the World Cup circuit required careful consideration. Despite initial fears, she found that her team and associates provided a nurturing environment for her children.

Nadja Pasternack, returning to the sport 12 weeks postpartum after giving birth in December 2023, qualified for the world team. Her participation in upcoming races remains uncertain.

During the season, Meyers Taylor and Humphries ranked sixth in the World Cup standings for two-women bobsledding. Curtis, who serves in the U.S. Air Force and returned to competition around a year after giving birth, gained momentum late in the season with strong finishes, earning her place in the championships. Meanwhile, Jones, mother to a four-year-old, will compete as a push athlete.

Jones expressed her hope to inspire future mothers with her journey back to the sport. “I want to show other moms that they can return to competition. It’s challenging but possible,” she said.

The notion of mothers competing isn’t unprecedented. Curtis recalled witnessing U.S. skeleton athlete Noelle Pikus-Pace, a mother of two, win a silver medal at the 2014 Olympics, influencing her decision to pursue sliding.

Curtis reflects on the postpartum experience, describing the hormonal and physical recalibrations she hadn’t anticipated fully. Nonetheless, she feels she’s regaining her strength and preparing to excel once more.

While the upcoming championship outcomes remain uncertain, the children of these athletes remain unaffected by the wins or losses. Humphries, who faced significant challenges in becoming a mother, finds these experiences have gifted her with a new perspective.

For fathers like U.S. bobsledder Frank Del Duca, balancing family life and sporting commitments is also challenging. He commended his female colleagues, marveling at their ability to return to compete at a world-class level post-pregnancy, stating, “It’s one of the most impressive feats in sport.”