Breeana Walker: Australia’s Monobob Pioneer Targets Olympic Glory
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, 15 February 2026 — Australian bobsleigh pilot Breeana Walker has officially commenced her quest for an Olympic medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. As the first two runs of the Women’s Monobob get underway today at the Cortina Sliding Centre, Walker remains the focal point of Australia’s winter sports ambitions, carrying the momentum of a career-best World Cup season into the most prestigious arena in sport.
The Transition from Track to Ice
Born on 28 August 1992 in Melbourne, Breeana “Bree” Walker did not begin her sporting journey on the ice. She originally excelled as a hurdler in athletics, competing for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. During her time in the United States, she secured a bronze medal at the 2014 Sun Belt Indoor Track and Field Championships.
In 2016, Walker made the strategic decision to transition to bobsleigh, moving to Europe to master the technical demands of piloting. Her background as an elite sprinter provided the explosive power necessary for the “push” phase of the race, a critical factor that quickly established her as one of the fastest starters on the international circuit.
Career Milestones and World Cup Success
Walker made her Bobsleigh World Cup debut during the 2018–19 season. Since then, she has become Australia’s most successful bobsledder, particularly in the monobob—a solo discipline that made its Olympic debut at Beijing 2022.
- 2018–19: World Cup debut and initial victories in lower-tier circuits.
- 2020: Claimed her first major monobob victories, establishing herself as a podium threat.
- 2023/24 Season: Finished second overall in the monobob World Cup standings, setting a track record of 59.22 seconds during the season.
- 2025/26 Season: Entered the Olympic year with dominant form, including consecutive gold medals in Sigulda and La Plagne.
Milano Cortina 2026: The Current Campaign
As of Sunday, 15 February 2026, Walker has begun her second Olympic campaign. Following a fifth-place finish at the Beijing 2022 Games, she entered these Olympics as a top-three seed. Despite what commentators described as a “shaky start” in the opening heat earlier today, Walker remains a primary contender for a podium finish.
The Monobob competition is structured over four runs to ensure consistency. While the first two runs are being contested today, the final two runs, which will determine the medalists, are scheduled for Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
Technical Profile: The Art of the Monobob
Unlike the two-woman bobsleigh, where a pilot relies on a brakewoman for the initial push and weight distribution, the monobob requires the athlete to be a “jack of all trades.” Walker must act as the sole pusher, pilot, and brakewoman. Her success is often attributed to her “perfectionist” approach to track analysis and her ability to maintain high exit speeds in technical corners.
Breeana Walker: Career Statistics
| Event/Season | Discipline | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing 2022 | Monobob | 5th Place |
| 2023/24 World Cup | Monobob | 2nd Overall (Silver) |
| 2025/26 World Cup | Monobob | Multiple Gold Medals (Sigulda, La Plagne) |
| Personal Best | Track Record | 59.22 seconds (2023/24) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Monobob and Two-Woman Bobsleigh?
Monobob is a solo event where the athlete performs all roles: pushing, steering, and braking. In the two-woman event, the pilot steers while a brakewoman provides additional power during the start and operates the brakes after the finish line. Breeana Walker competes in both but has seen her greatest international success in the monobob.
When are Breeana Walker’s next Olympic runs?
Following the initial runs on Sunday, 15 February, the final and decisive Runs 3 and 4 of the Women’s Monobob will take place on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, starting at approximately 5:00 AM AEDT.
Where is Breeana Walker from?
Walker was born in Melbourne, Victoria, and grew up in the eastern suburbs. She currently represents the Queensland Academy of Sport and the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA).
Has Breeana Walker won an Olympic medal?
As of the start of the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, Walker has not yet won an Olympic medal. Her best finish was 5th at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. She is widely considered a medal favourite for the 2026 Games based on her recent World Cup victories.