IBSF Probes Canadian Withdrawals in Skeleton Qualifier

A five-time U.S. Olympian in skeleton accused the Canadian national team of manipulating a qualifying event over the weekend, jeopardizing her bid for a sixth Winter Games appearance, prompting an investigation by the sport's international governing body.

Katie Uhlaender, 41, won a North American Cup race on Sunday in Lake Placid, New York, but the withdrawal of four Canadian athletes reduced the field to 20 competitors, limiting the qualification points available and effectively ending her chances for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. The event, part of the developmental circuit below the World Cup level, awards points based on the number of starters, with full value requiring at least 21 participants. Uhlaender earned 90 points for her victory instead of the maximum 120, leaving her ranked 20th globally and third among American women, outside the Olympic threshold as the qualification window closes this Sunday.

Uhlaender, a two-time world champion who finished fourth in Sochi in 2014, her best Olympic result, alleged that Canadian head coach Joe Cecchini informed her of the plan during a phone call two days prior. She claimed he aimed to safeguard spots for Canadian sliders,...