elana meyers taylor in medal contention as tech and gear reshape Olympic bobsledding
Midway Standings at Milan Cortina
After the first two runs of the women's monobob at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games, U. S. veteran elana meyers taylor occupies a podium position and is the leading American sled. The contest is tightly packed: Germany's Laura Nolte set an early standard, and Meyers Taylor sits within a few tenths of a second of the leader with two heats remaining. Medal positions remain unsettled as athletes prepare for Runs 3 and 4.
A veteran competitor and serial medalist
Meyers Taylor, 41, is one of the most decorated female bobsledders in Olympic history. Her Olympic résumé includes a bronze in Vancouver, silver medals in Sochi and PyeongChang, and podium finishes in Beijing when monobob debuted. Known for a competitive temperament summed up in the nickname “E-Money, ” she has combined longevity and consistency to remain a force in a power-driven sport, even as she manages injuries and the physical demands of elite competition.
Beyond results, her presence carries broader significance. Meyers Taylor has been recognized as the most decorated Black Winter Olympian, and she has cited the example of earlier Black Winter Olympians as motivation. With two young children in her life, including twins with special needs, she has framed this phase of her career around family and inspiration as much as athletic achievement.
How equipment and technology shape margins
Bobsledding is a sport of fine margins on long, fast tracks where runs approach speeds near 145 kilometers per hour and athletes can experience forces above 5g. Officials keep strict rules on sled dimensions and weights—limits on length and maximum combined weights exist to equalize competition and manage safety. Within those boundaries, teams pursue every legal advantage.
Recent Games have shown how innovations in footwear and on-board equipment can affect performance, particularly in the opening push phase. The initial 30 to 50 meters of a run are often decisive because they determine acceleration into the course. In response, national teams have invested in specialized spike plates, studded footwear and energy-return insoles to maximize traction and power at the start.
German collaborations with industry partners have produced custom studded plates tailored with 3D printing and treatments such as plasma nitriding to increase stud hardness and durability. Those changes allow fine-tuning of stud stiffness and geometry to match individual athletes and shoes. U. S. athletes have leaned on other advances: dynamic insoles designed to store and return energy during the push are one example of gear developed to convert more of an athlete's force into sled speed.
Meanwhile, sled construction has evolved from wood to steel and, increasingly, carbon fiber, delivering lighter frames with high strength. Teams balance structural advances against regulatory limits and safety concerns; weight caps and size restrictions remain a significant equalizer across programs.
Outlook: small gains, big outcomes
With two runs left in the monobob competition, the field remains open. Race outcomes will depend on the combination of athlete execution, track conditions and the accumulated advantages that come from equipment refinements. For Meyers Taylor, the challenge is to synthesize experience, physical preparation and the technological tools available to her team into near-flawless runs in the final heats.
As bobsledding continues to be shaped by engineering and marginal gains, the sport’s headlines at Milan Cortina reflect both human performance under pressure and the impact of bespoke gear on results measured in hundredths of a second.
