Daniel Sunderland raises his head at the back of the two-man bobsled at the finish

Daniel Sunderland

Biography

Daniel Sunderland began competing internationally as a brakeman in 2014-15 on the North American Cup circuit.  He earned his first medals towards the end of the season, taking a pair of two-man golds in Park City with Dutch-Canadian pilot Ivo de Bruin. In 2015-16, Sunderland competed on both the North American Cup and Europe Cup circuits, primarily with pilot Nick Poloniato. They never finished outside the top-five in any North American Cup races as Poloniato finished first overall in two-man and second overall in four-man. 

Sunderland made his IBSF World Cup debut in December 2016 in Poloniato’s four-man sled in Whistler. Their 10th-place finish would be his best result of the season. Sunderland would make his first appearance at the IBSF World Championships in February.  

Sunderland then stepped away from bobsleigh for several years. He returned to international competition in 2021-22 in a sled piloted by Taylor Austin. They dominated the North American Cup circuit, winning six gold and two silver medals in four-man. Sunderland also pushed Austin to two gold and one bronze in two-man. Sunderland returned to the World Cup circuit in January in St. Moritz as Austin made his first World Cup appearance at the legendary Olympia Bobrun. 

Sunderland made his Olympic debut at Beijing 2022, competing with Austin in both the two-man and four-man events.

A Little More About Daniel

Getting into the Sport: Started in bobsleigh at the age of 26… Outside Interests: Graduated from the University of Alberta in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering… Is a professional pipe stress engineer… 

Olympic Highlights

Games Sport Event Finish
Beijing 2022BobsleighTwo-Man - Men20
Beijing 2022BobsleighFour-Man - Men23

Notable International Results

Olympic Winter Games: 2022 - 20th (2-man w/ Austin), 23rd (4-man w/ Austin)

IBSF World Championships: 2017 - 23rd (4-man)