At a Glance
- U.S. skeleton star Katie Uhlaender missed the 2026 Olympics after Canada withdrew its racers
- The move shrank the field, slashing available qualification points
- Why it matters: A veteran’s final Games bid ended by a strategic decision from a rival team
Katie Uhlaender’s drive for a sixth Olympic appearance collapsed on January 11 at Lake Placid when Team Canada pulled its skeleton athletes from the last North American Cup qualifier, slicing the field from 25 to 21 and stripping precious ranking points the American needed.
The Withdrawal
Organizers had already locked entries when Canada yanked four of six sliders. Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) said it acted because no Canadian remained in realistic contention and racing carried “injury risk” for those already qualified for Milan-Cortina 2026.
The smaller field meant maximum points dropped, ending Uhlaender’s chances despite her victory that day.
- 21 competitors finished instead of 25
- Points allocation shrank accordingly
- Uhlaender left 20 points short of the Olympic cut
Friendship Turned Bitter
Team Canada head coach Joe Cecchini, Uhlaender’s friend for two decades, told her of the plan before race day.
“I cried when I found out he went through with this plan,” she told DW. “I didn’t know if it hurt more that my friend of 20 years just nailed my coffin, my Olympic dream is over, or that my best friend of 20 years is doing something so horrible that hurts so many people.”
Uhlaender claims Cecchini said the tactic aimed to “eliminate any possibilities” that Canadian veteran Jane Channell could be overtaken in the standings.
Canada Defends Move
BCS said it consulted the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) and acted “after careful evaluation of the program’s needs.”
The federation’s statement:
- Called the decision “appropriate, transparent, and aligned with both athlete welfare and the integrity of the sport”
- Said continued racing was “not in their best interests”
- Stressed “careful consideration of athlete health, safety, and long-term development”
Fallout on the Track
Uhlaender, a two-time world champion at 41, still won Sunday’s race but could not climb high enough in the reduced rankings.
“He did not have to do that,” she said. “He did it because he could. And it wasn’t to protect his athletes; it was to manipulate the system. He waited until after everyone was registered and gave the illusion that the Canadians were going to be competing. He wanted to make sure that we could not get full points.”
Points Math
| Scenario | Field Size | Max Points Awarded | Uhlaender’s Haul |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 25 | 225 | 205 (projected) |
| After Withdrawal | 21 | 189 | 169 |
The 56-point gap between projected and actual kept her below the Olympic threshold.
Reactions
- U.S. Bobsled & Skeleton Federation: declined immediate comment
- IBSF spokesperson: confirmed Canada followed entry regulations but promised review
- Fans at Lake Placid: booed announcements referencing the Canadian absence
What’s Next
Uhlaender, who competed in every Winter Games since 2006, has not confirmed retirement plans. The 2026 field is set; no appeals process exists for qualification points.
Key Takeaways
- Canada’s late withdrawal shrunk the field and slashed points
- Uhlaender, needing every available point, fell short despite winning the race
- The decision sparked debate on strategic withdrawals in Olympic qualification
