Canada’s skeleton athletes nominated for Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games
CALGARY (January 21, 2026) – Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced the roster of Team Canada skeleton athletes selected to compete at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
The athletes qualified for Team Canada based on their performances throughout the Olympic Qualification window.
The skeleton athletes and coaches nominated are:
Josip Brusic (Okotoks, Alta.)
Jane Channell (North Vancouver, B.C.)
Hallie Clarke (Brighton, Ont.)
Joe Cecchini (Calgary, Alta.) – Coach
Kevin Boyer (Sherwood Park, Alta.) – Coach
Micaela Widmer (Calgary, Alta.) – Team Leader
Dr. Ainsley Vetesse – Integrated Support Team
Jane Channell will make her third straight Olympic appearance. A four-time IBSF World Cup medallist, Channell remains one of the fastest starters on the World Cup circuit. An IBSF Crystal Globe winner for finishing third overall in the 2015-16 World Cup standings, Channell has played a key leadership role in the rebuild of the National Skeleton Program on the track to Milano Cortina 2026.
Channell was inspired to take up skeleton after watching the sport make its permanent return to the Olympic program at Salt Lake City 2002. Her dream took shape in the lead up to Vancouver 2010. Channell, a former varsity sprinter at Simon Fraser University, was instantly drawn to the speed and adrenaline the first time she ran down an ice track.
“When I first started sliding in 2011, I never would have imagined that I’d be a three-time Canadian Olympian. And when we chatted after Beijing 2022 about continuing for another four years, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to do it. I was wrong,” said Channell. “These last four years have flown by with the ups and downs that come with any Olympic quadrennial, but this time it’s different. For the first time in my career, it truly feels like we did it together. We established a plan. We executed. We competed. We qualified for a third Olympic Games with the full support of the national skeleton program. It takes a village, but most importantly it takes a strong, supportive program. It is all of the athletes, coaches and support staff who have inspired me to keep going. As a result, we did it together.”
Hallie Clarke captured gold at the 2024 IBSF World Championships in Winterberg, Germany. Then just 19 years old, she was the youngest women’s skeleton world champion ever. She then became the first skeleton athlete to hold both the junior and senior World titles simultaneously after winning gold at the 2025 IBSF Junior World Championships. Her rapid rise has marked her as one of the sport’s most formidable new forces.
Clarke’s skeleton journey began in 2018, when the then-14-year-old traded in her skates for a skeleton sled. Her natural speed, focus, and fearlessness earned her a spot on the Canadian National Team, where she then competed for Team Canada at the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games. She made her debut on the World Cup circuit in 2022, and continued her upward trajectory from there.
“This is a dream come true. As a child, I used to pretend to skate in front of the TV while watching the Olympics, saying that was going to be me one day. The sport changed, but the dream never did. I know little me would be so proud of all the hard work and sacrifice I’ve put in over the years to make this dream come true,” said Clarke. “It’s an honour to represent Canada, and even more special to be doing it with an amazing team. Qualifying with Jane, someone I have aspired to be like since I started the sport, means more than words can describe. Joe, Kevin and Micaela have been at my side watching me grow as an athlete and a person since I was 14. To have them as our coaches at the Games, supporting both of us, makes me emotional. We have a small but mighty program. I can’t wait to get to Italy.”
Brusic, the lone male on the team, only began competing internationally in December 2023. He teamed with Clarke to finish fourth in the mixed team event at the 2025 IBSF Junior World Championships. He spent this season racing primarily on the developmental circuits in Europe, Asia and North America, reaching the podium three times to sit second in the overall standings.
Team Canada has won four Olympic skeleton medals since the sport made its Olympic return at Salt Lake City 2002. Three of those medals came at Turin 2006, the last time the Games were held in Italy. The only other Olympic skeleton medal was won by Jon Montgomery at Vancouver 2010.
Skeleton will take place February 12-15 (Day 6 to 9) at the Cortina Sliding Centre. Team Canada will compete in the women’s and men’s individual events, as well as the mixed team event, which will make its Olympic debut at Milano Cortina.
“Team Canada’s skeleton squad athletes are positioning themselves as contenders for Milano Cortina 2026,” said Jennifer Heil, Team Canada’s Milano Cortina 2026 Chef de Mission. “We’re so proud of all the hard work, dedication, and heart these athletes have shown this season. Wishing them a strong final stage of preparation as they get ready to bring the speed at the Cortina Sliding Centre and show the world what Canadians are made of!”
Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organizations.
The latest Team Canada roster can be found here and the qualification tracker can be found here.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Chris Dornan
Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton
C: 403-620-8731
E: hpprchris@shaw.ca
Arianne Cloux, Coordinator, Communications
Canadian Olympic Committee
C: 514-606-2441
E: acloux@olympic.ca