Austin Florian’s Venom Helmet Steals Spotlight as U.S. Skeleton Racer Advances in Cortina
American skeleton athlete Austin Florian grabbed headlines at the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo after racing with a striking Venom-themed helmet that went viral online. Florian backed up the attention-grabbing look with solid on-track results, posting the fastest start in the field and moving up the standings through the second run.
Helmet design draws viral reaction
Florian’s helmet, stylized with imagery inspired by the comic-book character Venom, quickly became a talking point among fans and viewers. Social channels lit up during the session as spectators reacted to the detailed artwork, praising the bold visual and how it stood out on the ice track. The helmet’s design dominated pre-run chatter while Florian prepared for his first heat, turning a personal piece of equipment into a viral moment.
Solid runs and improving placement
On Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 (ET), Florian clocked a 56. 95 in the first heat, a mark that represented the best start of the field and suggested strong potential for team competition later in the Games. He improved his position in the second run, moving up to 13th overall with a combined time of 1: 53. 54 after two heats. The third heat was scheduled to begin later Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 (ET).
Florian’s teammate, Dan Barefoot, struggled through his runs and sat 19th amid a significant shoulder injury, highlighting the physical toll the sport can take even at the highest level. Britain’s Matt Weston led the field after the opening two heats, leaving the podium picture still very much in flux as the competition moved forward.
Controversy shadows the competition
The skeleton program in Cortina was overshadowed by an early dispute involving another athlete’s helmet choice. Organizers removed one competitor from the start list after the athlete refused to wear an alternative helmet that would remove what they viewed as a political statement. Florian acknowledged the incident prior to his runs and said the team tried to remain focused.
"We're generally pretty focused on what we’re doing. We're aware of it. Everyone’s aware of it, obviously. And we try not to let it affect us, but you've got to do what you've got to do and he’s going to do what he’s going to do at the end of the day. And it’s a bummer. " — Austin Florian
That tension added an extra layer of distraction for competitors and fans alike, as athletes navigated both high-pressure performance and a charged environment around political expression on equipment. Florian’s calm assessment underscored a team-driven emphasis on performance despite external circumstances.
With the mixed team event approaching and individual heats still to conclude, Florian’s blend of show-stopping style and competitive starts left him well positioned to contribute to the U. S. squad. The spectacle of his helmet may have drawn initial attention, but his times on the ice ensured he remained a racer to watch as the competition progressed through Friday and beyond.
