Australian bobsleigh star Bree Walker has launched the 2025–26 IBSF World Cup season in style, claiming bronze on the newly rebuilt Olympic track in Cortina d’Ampezzo, host of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
The podium marks the 13th World Cup medal of Walker’s career, a confidence-boosting result for the 2022 Olympian as she builds momentum toward February’s Olympic showdown.
First used for the 1956 Winter Games, the historic Cortina track last hosted World Cup racing in 2008. After years of uncertainty, a rapid 300-day redevelopment has brought the venue roaring back to life just in time for November’s International Training Period and the opening World Cup of the season.
Walker opened the competition with a strong first run of 59.85 seconds, placing fifth in a tightly packed field where the top six athletes were separated by just 0.17 seconds. In the decisive second heat, Walker delivered under pressure with the second-fastest time of the final run (59.78), bringing her a two-run combined time of 1:59.63.
The battle for silver came down to mere fractions, with Walker finishing 0.01 seconds behind Kaysha Love of the USA. Germany’s Laura Nolte claimed gold, edging Walker by 0.16 seconds.
“My coach always says any day I finish on the podium is a good day, so very happy to finish third here for the first race of the season” said the 33-year-old from Queensland.
“I love the track here in Cortina, it’s really fun, a few technical corners especially at the top, and then it has a lovely flow down to the bottom, I am really enjoying driving here.
“My runs weren’t perfect, I am excited to come back here in February and be able to fix them up and see what happens on the other side.
Also in action for Australia was fellow Queenslander Sarah Blizzard in 23rd place.
Walker will team up with brakewoman Kiara Reddingius for the two-woman race tomorrow in Cortina.
