Kaillie Humphries and Elana Meyers Taylor Make Their Debut In Olympic Monobob

Elana Meyers Taylor slides during the Women's Monobob Bobsled heats at the Olympic winter Games Beijing 2022 on Feb. 13, 2022 in Yanqing, China.

Going into the second heat, de Bruin was in position for the bronze medal spot with the veteran American. Meyers Taylor was quick on the start — something she had been working on with her husband, Team USA bobsledder Nic Taylor, who is in Beijing as an alternate. But after her second run was just shy of perfect, she dropped into fourth for the final two heats the next day.

Before the 2022 Winter Games, the last time Meyers Taylor was in a sled was in St. Moritz a month prior at the final world cup race of the season. And the last time she was on the ice at the sliding center in Beijing was in the fall. 

With the addition of this new woman-only event, Beijing will be the first time male and female bobsledders have an equal chance at a medal as the men have had the two- and four-man races. Previously, the two-woman competition was the only bobsled event for females.

Humphries thinks it’s about time. 

“I think it’s very instrumental having another event. Not only for women’s equality — to be able to be the same as men in medal opportunity — but just for greater participation,” she said.

“The addition of monobob has opened the door for a lot of opportunity, which is really fantastic. I hope that continues and provides an opportunity for men too.”

The most decorated woman in bobsled history competed for Canada until 2019, winning two golds and a bronze. After earning her U.S. citizenship at the end of last year, Humphries hopes to be the first woman to stand at the top of the podium for this new event. 

As the name suggests, monobob is a single competitor doing the work multiple people typically do: everything from pushing the sled at the start to driving and braking over the winding course.Multitasking at its finest.

“For me, its another race,” the 36-year-old said. “What makes it the most special is that I’ve got more opportunities to race and compete, and I think that’s my favorite part.”

February 14 will see the crowning of the world’s first Olympic monobob champion. Heat three is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m. Feb 13 EST, and the final run at 10 p.m.

Want to follow Team USA athletes during the Olympic Games Beijing 2022? Visit TeamUSA.org/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Games to view the competition schedule, medal table and results.