The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina saw a landmark achievement in women's monobob as veteran American slider Elana Meyers Taylor clinched her first Olympic gold medal. The victory, secured in a dramatic final run, capped a storied career for the 41-year-old, who has now become the most decorated U.S. female bobsledder. Her compatriot, Kaillie Humphries, also earned a medal, taking home bronze in the event.
A Career Culmination in Monobob
Elana Meyers Taylor's path to Olympic gold was a lengthy one, marked by multiple medals and comebacks. At 41, she competed in her fifth Olympic Games. Her previous Olympic successes included silver medals, and she was already known as the oldest woman to win a bobsled medal, having achieved this at 37. This win marks a significant personal triumph, adding the coveted gold to her collection, which now includes a record-tying sixth career Olympic medal for a U.S. woman.
Read More: Lindsey Vonn Hurt Badly in Ski Race, Needs Many Surgeries
The Race for the Podium
The women's monobob competition saw intense rivalry, particularly between Meyers Taylor and Germany's Laura Nolte. Through the initial three runs, Nolte held a lead. However, Meyers Taylor delivered a powerful and flawless fourth run, clocking in at 59.51 seconds. This performance was sufficient to edge out Nolte and secure the gold medal with a combined time of 3:57.93.
Gold: Elana Meyers Taylor (USA) - 3:57.93
Silver: Laura Nolte (Germany) - (Implied to be second, exact time not explicitly stated in relation to gold medal time)
Bronze: Kaillie Humphries (USA) - 3:58.05
Key Competitors and Performances
The monobob event featured a field of 20 competitors, with Meyers Taylor and Humphries representing the United States.
Elana Meyers Taylor (USA): Entered the final run in second place but produced a decisive performance to win gold. This is her first Olympic gold and sixth overall Olympic medal, tying her with speedskater Bonnie Blair for the most decorated U.S. woman in Winter Olympic history.
Laura Nolte (Germany): The defending champion, Nolte led for the majority of the competition but was ultimately surpassed by Meyers Taylor in the final heat.
Kaillie Humphries (USA): A three-time Olympic gold medalist herself, Humphries secured the bronze medal with a time of 3:58.05. Despite strong performances, some difficulties in the early turns appeared to hinder her bid for another gold. Humphries, like Meyers Taylor, is competing in her fifth Olympics.
Kaysha Love (USA): Another American competitor, Love finished in seventh place.
Historical Significance and Career Milestones
Meyers Taylor's gold medal is not only a personal victory but also a moment of historical significance for U.S. bobsledding.
Read More: Elana Meyers Taylor Wins First Olympic Gold in Monobob
She is now the most decorated U.S. female bobsledder.
Her sixth Olympic medal ties her with speedskater Bonnie Blair for the most medals won by an American woman at the Winter Olympics.
This win marks her first Olympic gold medal.
Both Meyers Taylor and Humphries have now medaled in five consecutive Olympic Games.
The monobob event itself is relatively new to the Olympic program, with Humphries having won its inaugural gold medal previously.
Broader Context
The performances of Meyers Taylor and Humphries highlight their enduring presence and success on the Olympic stage. Both athletes have navigated personal challenges, including becoming mothers, and have made significant contributions to their sport, including recruiting new talent. Their continued competitiveness at the highest level underscores their dedication and skill.
Expert Commentary
"Elana's journey is nothing short of inspirational. To come back after motherhood and achieve this at her age is a testament to her resilience and unwavering commitment," noted a commentator for the Olympic broadcast.
Sources confirm that Meyers Taylor and Humphries have competed against each other in five Olympic Games.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
Elana Meyers Taylor's gold medal victory in the women's monobob at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is a defining moment in her career and a significant achievement for American winter sports. Her triumph, coupled with Kaillie Humphries' bronze, showcases the strength of the U.S. bobsled program.
Read More: Canada's Oldham Wins Big Air Gold, Britain's Muir Finishes Fourth Again
Key Findings:
Elana Meyers Taylor won Olympic gold in women's monobob.
She became the most decorated U.S. female bobsledder.
Kaillie Humphries secured bronze in the same event.
Both American athletes have now won medals in five consecutive Olympics.
Implications: Meyers Taylor's win solidifies her legacy as one of the greatest American Olympians. The success of both American sliders in this event underscores their long-standing dominance.
Next Steps: Both Meyers Taylor and Humphries are expected to compete in the two-woman bobsled event, offering further opportunities for medal contention.
Sources Used:
ESPN: https://www.espn.com/olympics/story//id/47949476/usa-elana-meyers-taylor-41-wins-1st-olympic-gold-monobob
Associated Press (via AP News): https://apnews.com/article/olympics-womens-monobob-usa-germany-14a36bf53492d42e4ac97cf0e0a84082
Olympics.com: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/news/winter-olympics-bobsleigh-monobob-women-usa-meyers-taylor-gold
The Athletic (via New York Times): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7050927/2026/02/16/elana-meyers-taylor-monobob-gold-medal-winter-olympics/
NBC Olympics: https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/elana-meyers-taylor-wins-olympic-gold-last-storybook-womens-monobob-triumph
CBS News: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elana-meyers-taylor-olympics-gold-female-bobsledder/
Fox News: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/american-elana-meyers-taylor-finally-captures-gold-medal-winter-olympics-makes-team-usa-history
Los Angeles Times: https://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/story/2026-02-16/bobsled-star-elana-meyers-taylor-wins-her-first-olympic-gold-medal
