Aussie Bobsleigh Duo Eyes Surprise Medal Hopes at Milano Cortina 2026
Australia is quietly emerging as an outside chance for a medal in the thrilling two-woman bobsleigh event at the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, following an impressive performance from our own Bree Walker and Kiara Reddingius. The dynamic duo has positioned themselves in a respectable 10th place after the initial two runs held in Cortina, currently sitting 1.12 seconds adrift of the leading German pair, Laura Nolte and Deborah Levi.
Adding to the Australian contingent’s strong showing, a second Aussie pair, comprised of debutants Sarah Blizzard and Desi Johnson, finds themselves in 19th position, a further second behind their compatriots. Both Australian teams demonstrated significant improvement on their second runs, with each pair even experiencing the exhilaration of briefly topping the leaderboard during their respective descents.
A Tale of Two Sleds: Progress and Pride
Sarah Blizzard, the pilot responsible for steering the bobsleigh, expressed her satisfaction with the team’s progress after their runs. “We made improvements from the first run and that’s what I wanted to do,” she commented. “It’s a learning experience… it’s very hard to be consistent here, but I did what I could and left it all out there.”
Her brakewoman, Desi Johnson, shared the pair’s elation, describing their brief stint at the top as “ecstatic.” “We didn’t expect that at the start, so we were just ecstatic. You can see by the smiles on the faces – having that is just amazing,” Johnson enthused.
The Australian bobsleigh program has been a significant focus, with visibility on Channel 9 and 9Now, and further comprehensive coverage including every event live and on demand, every medal in 4K, and exclusive international content available on Stan Sport.
Walker’s Redemption Arc and the Power of Teamwork
Winter Olympian Jac Narracott offered insights into Bree Walker’s performance, noting that she would likely be far more pleased with her two-woman bobsleigh efforts compared to her earlier performance in the monobob. “The first two runs have been amazing – they looked so much cleaner than what they were in the mono,” Narracott observed on Nine’s Today program.
Narracott speculated on the reasons for Walker’s improved form, suggesting it could be attributed to the added weight of having Kiara Reddingius in the back of the sled, or simply the benefit of an additional four runs of practice. “Whether that’s just the extra weight, having Kiara in the back of the sled, or having had an extra four run. Who knows? Who cares? She’s doing amazingly,” Narracott added, highlighting the palpable difference in performance.
Looking Ahead: Strategy, Rest, and Australian Staples
The final two runs are scheduled for Sunday morning (AEDT), and the Australian athletes are already strategising for their next outing. Blizzard is looking forward to a well-deserved sleep-in before gearing up for another day of competition. “We’ve got a bit of sled work to do, and then good food, good rest, try and have a chill morning and go from there. Big sleep, big chill, caffeine and let’s go,” she outlined, before revealing a quintessential Australian breakfast ritual that fuels her performance.
“I love Weet-Bix – I have about six and some Sultana Bran sprinkled on top,” Blizzard confessed. “I have missed them so much. It’s one of the best parts about being part of Team Australia. It is all I’ve eaten for breakfast since I’ve been at the ETC before the games. I love Weet-Bix. It’s like a religion for me.”
Johnson, while playfully admitting she’s “not on the Weet-Bix bag,” shared her own breakfast preferences. “I do toast and eggs… and I’m not changing!” she declared, underscoring the diverse, yet determined, spirit of the Australian bobsleigh team as they continue their pursuit of Olympic glory.
