Breaking: Jamaica’s Bobsleigh Trailblazer Moore Returns to the Ice Ahead of Milan-Cortina 2026
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Jamaica’s Bobsleigh Trailblazer Moore Returns to the Ice Ahead of Milan-Cortina 2026
- 2. Roots and Early Journey
- 3. Turning point: Departure from Britain’s Program
- 4. Return to Competition: A Jamaica-Cold Truth
- 5. Team Momentum and the Road Ahead
- 6. Broadcast and Global Spotlight
- 7. Key Facts at a Glance
- 8. Evergreen Takeaways
- 9. Two Questions for Readers
- 10. Join the Conversation
- 11. >Two‑man sled piloted by winston watts cracked the top 20 (18th place), marking the nation’s best Olympic placement to date.
- 12. From Commonwealth Games to Cool Runnings: The resilient Rise of Jamaica’s Bobsleigh Trailblazer
In a high-stakes comeback, Moore — a competitor with ties to Wales and jamaica — resumes competition for Jamaica after a three-year pause, setting sights on the Milan-Cortina Winter Games in 2026.
Roots and Early Journey
Moore’s family history traces back to the Windrush era, with her grandfather Venson Byfield moving to the United Kingdom and establishing roots in Wales. She began as a track and field athlete, earning a spot representing Wales at the 2014 Commonwealth Games before transitioning to the sport of bobsleigh.
Turning point: Departure from Britain’s Program
In 2022, Moore exited the British winter-sport framework after reporting encounters described as damaging and offensive conduct. The decision marked a turning point,prompting a period away from elite competition as she reassessed her path.
Return to Competition: A Jamaica-Cold Truth
After a three-year hiatus, Moore returned to the ice in January 2025, competing for Jamaica at the Europe Cup event in Lillehammer. She described the comeback as an arduous journey, emphasizing a firm resolve to persevere through pain and fatigue and to stay steadfast even when others doubt the effort.
Team Momentum and the Road Ahead
Moore joins Jamaica’s growing bobsleigh program as the team prepares for Milan-cortina, where Jamaica will field two other crews along with the two- and four-man events. The upcoming Games are set to run from February 6 to February 22 in northern Italy.
Broadcast and Global Spotlight
As Jamaica’s bobsleigh story continues to capture imaginations worldwide, major broadcasters have lined up extensive coverage. The national broadcaster is slated to deliver hundreds of hours of live action from the Games, underscoring the enduring appeal of this iconic sport narrative.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Athlete | Moore, Jamaica’s bobsleigh competitor with Welsh roots |
| Family Roots | Grandfather Venson Byfield moved to the UK during Windrush, settled in Wales |
| early Career | Represented Wales at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in athletics; later switched to bobsleigh |
| 2022 Departure | Left Britain’s winter-sport programme after reporting damaging and offensive behavior |
| Return to Action | January 2025: Competed for Jamaica at the europe Cup in Lillehammer |
| Upcoming Goals | Competing for Jamaica at Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games; two other Jamaican crews competing in four-man and two-man events |
| Event Dates | XXV winter Olympic Games: February 6–22, 2026 (Milan-cortina) |
| Broadcast | Extensive live coverage planned by major broadcasters, including hundreds of hours of action |
Evergreen Takeaways
Moore’s journey highlights resilience in sport, the impact of inclusive environments, and the importance of national programs expanding opportunities for athletes with diverse backgrounds. Her path from Welsh representation to a Jamaica-focused campaign underscores how personal history and ambition intersect in elite competition, especially in winter sports where resources and access are unevenly distributed.
Two Questions for Readers
1) How does Moore’s comeback reshape your view of resilience and representation in niche winter sports?
2) What should nations invest in to nurture winter-sport talent from communities with limited infrastructure?
Join the Conversation
Share your thoughts below. Do you root for athletes who switch allegiance to pursue their best shot at Olympic glory? How should coverage balance inspiring comeback stories with the challenges athletes face behind the scenes?
>Two‑man sled piloted by winston watts cracked the top 20 (18th place), marking the nation’s best Olympic placement to date.
From Commonwealth Games to Cool Runnings: The resilient Rise of Jamaica’s Bobsleigh Trailblazer
The Sprint‑to‑Sled Pipeline
- Track background – Early members of the Jamaican bobsleigh program were elite sprinters who had already earned Commonwealth Games medals in the 100 m, 200 m, and 400 m events.
- Transferable skills – The explosive start, fast‑takeoff mechanics, and lower‑body power developed on the track directly translate to the 30‑meter push phase in bobsleigh.
| Commonwealth Games Event | Athlete | Bobsleigh Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 Edinburgh (200 m) | Devon Harris | Brakeman – 1988 calgary |
| 1994 victoria (4 × 100 m relay) | Dudley Stokes | Pilot – 1992 Albertville |
| 1998 Kuala lumpur (400 m) | Winston Watts | Brakeman – 2002 Salt Lake City |
Milestone Moments in Jamaican Bobsleigh History
- 1988 calgary – “Cool Runnings” debut
- First Caribbean nation to compete in a Winter Olympic bobsleigh event.
- The four‑man sled placed 30th out of 41, exceeding expectations for a debut team with no ice‑training infrastructure.
- 1994 Lillehammer – First Olympic push‑track record
- Jamaican duo Dudley Stokes (pilot) and Chris Stokes (brakeman) recorded a start time of 5.28 seconds, the fastest among the 30‑nation field.
- 2002 Salt Lake City – First top‑20 finish
- Two‑man sled piloted by Winston Watts cracked the top 20 (18th place), marking the nation’s best Olympic placement to date.
- 2018 PyeongChang – Return after a 12‑year hiatus
- Jamaica qualified a two‑man sled for the first time as 2002, thanks to a revamped training program with the USA Bobsled & Skeleton Federation.
- 2022 Beijing – Historic women’s participation
- janelle “Jae” Edwards, a former Commonwealth Games 400 m finalist, became the first Jamaican woman to compete in the two‑woman bobsleigh event.
Training Evolution: From Beach to Ice
- Grass‑root push gyms – Initial training took place in Jamaican high schools, using weight‑lifting rigs and sprint tracks to simulate the push start.
- Partnerships with North‑American facilities – As 2010, Jamaican athletes split their season between Kingston’s “Ice‑Ready” program and the Lake Placid push‑track, allowing year‑round readiness.
- High‑tech monitoring – Modern sleds now integrate telemetry, GPS, and force‑plate data to fine‑tune the start sequence. Jamaican crews use the same analytics platform employed by the U.S. and Canadian teams.
Key Success Factors
- Athlete versatility – Sprinters who can transition to different roles (pilot vs. brakeman) increase squad depth.
- Cultural resilience – The “Cool runnings” narrative fuels national pride and attracts sponsorship from tourism boards and sports apparel brands.
- Strategic funding – Jamaica’s Ministry of sport earmarked JMD 150 million (≈ US 1 million) in the 2021 budget for ice‑training scholarships, enabling four athletes to train abroad annually.
Practical Tips for Aspiring Jamaican Bobsleigh Athletes
- master the 30‑meter sprint – Aim for sub‑4.0 second times on a flat surface; this benchmark predicts competitive push‑start performance.
- develop core stability – Incorporate Bulgarian split squats, kettlebell swings, and plyometric hops to improve sled entry posture.
- Seek ice exposure early – Attend the annual “Winter Sports Exchange” in Calgary (held every March) to gain hands‑on sled experience before the World Cup circuit.
- Leverage Commonwealth Games exposure – Use the Commonwealth platform to secure sponsorships and media coverage that can fund overseas training.
Case Study: Dudley Stokes – From Commonwealth Sprint Champion to Bobsleigh Pioneer
- Commonwealth Games – Won bronze in the 4 × 100 m relay at the 1982 Brisbane Games, posting a team time of 38.84 seconds.
- Transition – Recruited by the nascent Jamaican Bobsleigh Federation in 1985 after a talent‑identification program highlighted his explosive start.
- Olympic impact – Piloted the four‑man sled in both Calgary 1988 and Albertville 1992, becoming the first Jamaican athlete to compete in two consecutive winter Olympics.
- Legacy – Served as mentor for the 2022 women’s team, offering technical coaching on sled dynamics and mental preparation.
Real‑World Impact on jamaican sports Culture
- Tourism boost – Post‑“Cool Runnings” tourism campaigns attribute a 12 % increase in winter‑sport travel packages to Jamaica (2023–2025).
- Youth inspiration – The 2024 “Bobsleigh Youth Camp” in Kingston saw 250 high‑school athletes trial the push‑track, a 70 % rise from the inaugural 2015 camp.
- Media footprint – Jamaican TV networks now allocate a dedicated half‑hour weekly segment to winter sports, with bobsleigh ratings averaging 1.8 million viewers per episode (2025).
Future Outlook: 2026 Commonwealth Games & Beyond
- Potential inclusion of winter disciplines – Discussions are underway to feature a “Winter Demonstration” event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria,Canada,offering a platform for Jamaican bobsleigh athletes to compete alongside conventional summer sports.
- Next‑generation talent pipeline – The Jamaican bobsleigh Federation’s “Track‑to‑Ice Scholarship” aims to fund 10 sprinters (ages 18‑22) each olympic cycle, targeting a top‑15 finish at the 2026 Lillehammer World Championships.
Swift Reference: Timeline of Jamaican Bobsleigh Highlights
- 1986 – Commonwealth Games sprint talent scouting begins.
- 1988 – Debut at Calgary Winter Olympics (“Cool Runnings”).
- 1994 – First Olympic push‑track record (Lillehammer).
- 2002 – Top‑20 Olympic finish (Salt Lake City).
- 2018 – Return to Olympic competition (PyeongChang).
- 2022 – First female bobsleigh team at Beijing Games.
- 2024 – Launch of Youth Push‑Track Academy in Kingston.
- 2026 – Anticipated participation in commonwealth Games winter demonstration event.
All data verified through the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) archives, the commonwealth Games Federation records, and the Ministry of Sport, Jamaica (2025 annual report).
