Bree Walker has claimed Australia’s first winter sports World Cup medal of 2025, with a bronze medal performance in the World Cup monobob event in Winterberg, Germany, in a spectacular day of competition which saw a number of track records fall in the final run.
The podium finish is the second straight for the QAS bobsleigh pilot, and the ninth of her World Cup career.
Walker was third after the first run with a time of 58.67 seconds, then was faster in the second run, momentarily holding the track record in a time of 58.44 seconds. and a two-run combined time of 1:57.11 seconds.
The final two athletes also broke the track record, German Lisa Buckwitz won with a combined time of 1:56.83, 0.28 seconds ahead of Walker while Swiss pilot Melanie Hasler of Switzerland finished second in 1:56.92.
“I’m super happy with the result here in Winterberg, I love sliding here, it’s actually my first podium here since the 2022 Olympic season” said the 32-year-old from Queensland.
“Really happy with my drives today, the first corner is cut a little bit differently this year so it makes it tricky and slipped me up a little bit, but I can’t be happier, my pushing is coming along really nicely and my drives were solid, so all-in-all a good day.
“The track was in good condition, and it’s really cold here, so that is perfect conditions for track records to be broken. It makes for fun racing when you know the record is being broken again-and-again, you know you’re up for a fast run.
“I’m looking forward to my first World Cup two-woman event of the season tomorrow with Kiara Reddingius in our new sled.”
Also in action for Australia was Sarah Blizzard in 22nd place.
After three World Cup monobob events this season, Walker is ranked third on the standings on 584 points, trailing German duo Lisa Buckwitz in first on 660 and Laura Nolte second with 619.
The podium finish is the second straight for the QAS bobsleigh pilot, and the ninth of her World Cup career.
Walker was third after the first run with a time of 58.67 seconds, then was faster in the second run, momentarily holding the track record in a time of 58.44 seconds. and a two-run combined time of 1:57.11 seconds.
The final two athletes also broke the track record, German Lisa Buckwitz won with a combined time of 1:56.83, 0.28 seconds ahead of Walker while Swiss pilot Melanie Hasler of Switzerland finished second in 1:56.92.
“I’m super happy with the result here in Winterberg, I love sliding here, it’s actually my first podium here since the 2022 Olympic season” said the 32-year-old from Queensland.
“Really happy with my drives today, the first corner is cut a little bit differently this year so it makes it tricky and slipped me up a little bit, but I can’t be happier, my pushing is coming along really nicely and my drives were solid, so all-in-all a good day.
“The track was in good condition, and it’s really cold here, so that is perfect conditions for track records to be broken. It makes for fun racing when you know the record is being broken again-and-again, you know you’re up for a fast run.
“I’m looking forward to my first World Cup two-woman event of the season tomorrow with Kiara Reddingius in our new sled.”
Also in action for Australia was Sarah Blizzard in 22nd place.
After three World Cup monobob events this season, Walker is ranked third on the standings on 584 points, trailing German duo Lisa Buckwitz in first on 660 and Laura Nolte second with 619.
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