With less than 500 days remaining until the next Winter Olympic, Mellissa Lotholz, a bobsledder from Northern Alberta, is preparing for an exciting and challenging season ahead. Unlike the Griswold family’s vacation plans, Lotholz’s upcoming travels are not for leisure but for an intense training schedule and competition as she works toward earning a spot on the Canadian Bobsleigh national team for the Winter Olympic 2026. As a key member of Canada’s sliding contingent, she will participate in the World Cup circuit, focusing on both the two-women and monobob events.

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Lotholz, who hails from Barrhead, Alberta, has been training in the sport for over 11 years. After a decade of progress, she is confident that she will be heading overseas with her teammates in just two weeks to compete on the World Cup circuit. Despite the official roster announcements being reserved until the Canadian Championships, Lotholz’s inclusion on the senior team, as listed by Winter Olympic Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton, has confirmed her spot as the pilot of her sled. She will likely team up with fellow Albertan Leah Wakenden as her brakeman for the season.

From Brakeman to Pilot: Lotholz’s Journey in Winter Olympic Bobsleigh

Lotholz’s journey into Winter Olympic bobsleigh began in 2014, when she joined the national team following a dryland identification camp. She initially competed as a brakeman, a crucial role that involves explosive power at the start of the race, but her aspirations were always to pilot the sled. This transition to pilot has been a significant part of her Olympic journey. After the 2018 Winter Olympic in Pyeongchang, where she paired with Christine de Bruin to compete in the two-women bobsleigh event, Lotholz shifted her focus to the front seat, where she would steer the sled.

However, the road to becoming a bobsleigh pilot has not been without obstacles. Lotholz’s progress was hindered by the pandemic, which shortened the 2020-2021 World Cup season and caused her to take a year off following the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic. Additionally, Canada lost its third sled in the senior circuit, further complicating her return. Nevertheless, thanks to the team’s strong performance at the 2023 Winter Olympic World Championships, Canada is set to compete with a third sled again in the World Cup circuit. I’m excited about the upcoming season and being on the ice again Lotholz said, her enthusiasm palpable despite the challenges.

Intense Training and Open Tryouts: Lotholz Prepares for the Canadian Championships and World Cup

In preparation for the Canadian Championships and the World Cup, Lotholz has been undergoing a grueling training regimen that includes camps across Canada. Currently, she is attending a three-week sliding camp in Whistler, British Columbia, where she is refining her technique and conditioning in anticipation of the competitive season ahead. Before heading to Whistler, Lotholz and her teammates had been training at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, home of Winter Olympic Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton. The Calgary camp was particularly important because it also included push camp tryouts, where athletes tested their strength and skills for potential team placements.

Unlike past years, there was an open tryout at push camp, Lotholz explained. This year, we saw a lot of newcomers to the sport, including athletes from track and field, basketball, and football. It’s exciting to see how different sports contribute to Winter Olympic bobsleigh.

The push camp was part of a series of three camps held over the summer by the national team. Lotholz noted that, on the men’s side, there was a noticeable influx of athletes seeking to transition into the sport. This speaks to the versatility of Winter Olympic bobsleigh, as athletes from various disciplines are drawn to the explosive power and teamwork required to succeed.

Overcoming Injury and Adapting to the Demands of Winter Olympic Bobsleigh

In addition to her regular training, Lotholz has had to manage an ongoing Achilles injury. To prepare for the season, she arrived in Calgary a couple of months ahead of schedule to focus on rehabilitation. Working with the national team’s physiotherapists and massage therapists, she has made recovery a priority, ensuring that her body is in top form for the upcoming season.

It has definitely been a tougher road for athletes in recent years, especially with the physical demands of the sport. When I first joined the national team, I don’t think I realized just how much work it takes to be a bobsledder. We’re not just athletes; we’re also mechanics, engineers, and strategists Lotholz shared.

Her ability to adapt to the physical and mental strains of the sport is part of what has made Lotholz such a successful athlete. Winter Olympic Bobsleigh requires a combination of speed, power, and mental toughness, and Lotholz’s experience has helped her navigate the complex challenges the sport presents. For her, the process of setting up the sled is just as important as the performance itself. You Can Read USA Winter Olympic Bobsleigh Inspiring Journeys of Hakeem Abdul-Saboor and Frank Delduca

Most of the work on the two-person sled has been done, but I still have some work to do on the monobob, she said, indicating that she is always fine-tuning her equipment and techniques.

A New Partnership: Lotholz Teams Up with Leah Wakenden for the World Cup

This year, Lotholz will be working with new brakemen. In Calgary and heading into the Canadian Championships, she has mostly trained with Eden Wilson. However, when she takes to the World Cup circuit, she will be paired with Leah Wakenden, a fellow Albertan and former track and field competitor.

Leah is actually from Ardrossan [near Sherwood Park], and we grew up competing against each other in track and field, Lotholz recalled. She often bested me in the 60-metre sprint, but it’s exciting to now be teammates in bobsleigh. We were also both at the University of Alberta at the same time, so it’s been a long journey to this point. I’m excited to see what a couple of UofA athletes can do in a sled on the world stage.

Working with Wakenden represents an exciting new chapter for Lotholz, as the two will bring their shared history and athletic prowess to the World Cup circuit. The partnership will be key to Lotholz’s success in the upcoming season, and their combined strengths will be critical as they face some of the world’s best bobsledders.

The Financial Reality of Winter Olympic Bobsleigh: Lotholz’s Struggle with Self-Funding

Despite the rigorous training and competition, Lotholz and her fellow bobsleigh athletes must also contend with a significant financial burden. Winter Olympic Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton has had to make cutbacks in recent years, meaning athletes are largely self-funded. This financial strain has added a layer of complexity to the pursuit of Olympic dreams.

We are largely self-funded, so we have to rely on sponsors and donors Lotholz said. We’re responsible for a lot of our own logistics, and it’s not easy. There’s always adversity in Winter Olympic bobsleigh, but the added financial pressure is a big hurdle.

For Lotholz, the cost of competition has been high. Last season, she spent roughly $43,000, which didn’t even cover the costs of her brakeman. This season, she is expecting to spend around $45,000—again, without factoring in the cost of her teammate.

Every hundredth of a second matters in our sport, and so does every dollar, Lotholz said, underscoring the harsh reality of competing at such an elite level. Despite these challenges, Lotholz is grateful for the support she has received from her home community of Barrhead, Alberta. The Barrhead community has been so supportive. They really believe in me and my Olympic journey, and I’m thankful for that every day.

To help offset the costs, Winter Olympic Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton has registered as a not-for-profit charity, which allows athletes to issue tax receipts. This initiative is a lifeline for athletes like Lotholz who need to raise funds for their training and competition.

Entrepreneurial Spirit: Lotholz Launches Eh Team Apparel to Support Bobsleigh Dreams

In addition to her athletic pursuits, Lotholz has taken an entrepreneurial approach to raising funds for her Olympic dreams. Along with fellow bobsledder Alex Klein, Lotholz launched Eh Team Apparel, an online streetwear brand. The company is design to help offset the costs of training and competition, while also supporting the broader bobsleigh community.

Eh Team Apparel is a way to help athletes raise money, but it’s also a chance to give back to the sport and the community that’s support us, Lotholz explained. It’s been exciting to see the response, and we hope that it continues to grow.

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By diversifying her efforts and giving back to the sport, Lotholz is setting an example for other athletes who are also dealing with the financial and logistical challenges of competing at the highest level.

Giving Back to the Sport: Lotholz’s Role as Interim Technical Director of Winter Olympic Bobsleigh Alberta

This offseason, Lotholz has also served as the interim technical director of Winter Olympic Bobsleigh Alberta, where she has been able to mentor the next generation of bobsledders. As a veteran of the sport, Lotholz’s experience and guidance are invaluable to young athletes looking to break into bobsleigh. Her work with the provincial program has given her an opportunity to build on the foundation laid by previous generations of athletes.

It has been so rewarding to give back to the sport and help develop the next generation of athletes Lotholz said. Helping to build the program in Alberta and working with younger athletes has been a fulfilling experience.

The Final Countdown: Mellissa Lotholz’s Road to the 2026 Winter Olympics

As the Winter Olympic 2026 draw closer, the pressure mounts for athletes like Lotholz who are striving to reach the pinnacle of their sport. With every passing day, the race against time becomes more intense, and the sacrifices grow greater. However, Lotholz’s unwavering commitment to the sport and her support network will continue to drive her forward. As she heads into the 2024 World Cup circuit and beyond, she is more determined than ever to make her mark on the world stage.

With less than 500 days remaining until the Olympic Games, Mellissa Lotholz’s journey is far from over. But with her passion, dedication, and resilience, she is ready to tackle whatever challenges come her way on the road to the Winter Olympic 2026.

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