Key Takeaways
- Austin Florian, Mystique Ro, Kelly Curtis, and Dan Barefoot will represent the United States in skeleton at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
- All four athletes are first-time Olympians, marking a historic first full team for USA Bobsled/Skeleton.
- The team was selected based on performances in the recent World Cup seasons and the 2025 World Championships.
USA Bobsled/Skeleton has officially nominated its first-ever Olympic skeleton team for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. The historic squad features four debutants: Austin Florian, Mystique Ro, Kelly Curtis, and Dan Barefoot.
Meet the 2026 US Olympic Skeleton Team
Austin Florian (28) and Mystique Ro (24) will compete in the men’s event, while Kelly Curtis (35) and Dan Barefoot (26) will race in the women’s competition.
“This is a historic moment for USA Bobsled/Skeleton as we announce our first-ever Olympic skeleton team,” said USA Bobsled/Skeleton CEO Dr. Aron McGuire. “These athletes have worked tirelessly to earn this opportunity, and we are confident they will represent our country with pride and determination on the world’s biggest stage.”
How the Team Was Selected
The nominations followed a rigorous selection process based on results from the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, along with performances at the 2025 World Championships.
Athlete Profiles and Journey to the Olympics
Austin Florian
The former Sacred Heart University football player transitioned to skeleton in 2018. He finished the 2024-25 World Cup season ranked seventh globally.
Mystique Ro
A former University of Washington track and field athlete, Ro took up the sport in 2021. He ended the last World Cup season ranked 12th in the world.
Kelly Curtis
The former University of Miami heptathlete switched to skeleton in 2017. Curtis was the top American woman this season, finishing ninth in the World Cup standings.
Dan Barefoot
A former gymnast at the University of North Carolina, Barefoot began her skeleton career in 2019. She placed 11th in the recent World Cup rankings.
Olympic Schedule and Venue
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will run from February 6 to 22, 2026. The skeleton competition is scheduled for February 13-15 at the iconic Cortina d’Ampezzo sliding track.
“We are excited to see this talented group of athletes compete in Cortina,” said USABS High Performance Director Brian Shimer. “They have shown tremendous growth and resilience throughout the qualification process, and we believe they are ready to challenge for the podium.”
US Olympic Skeleton History
The United States has a strong pedigree in the sport, having won three Olympic medals since skeleton’s reintroduction in 2002:
- Gold: Jimmy Shea (2002)
- Silver: Katie Uhlaender (2010)
- Bronze: Matt Antoine (2014)
The new team will aim to add to this medal tally in Cortina.
