Australian monobob star dominates in St. Moritz, reinforcing her status as a leading contender ahead of the Milano-Cortina Winter Games

In the rarefied air of the Engadin Valley, where winter sport history feels etched into every curve of ice, Bree Walker delivered another emphatic statement of intent. The Australian monobob racer surged to victory at the European Monobob World Cup in St. Moritz-Celerina, claiming gold ahead of Switzerland’s Melanie Hasler and Austria’s Katrin Beierl.

The triumph marked Walker’s third World Cup win of the season and underlined her growing authority in a discipline that rewards both fearless precision and meticulous control. On one of the most technically demanding tracks in the world — the only natural ice sliding track still in regular use — Walker was composed, aggressive and unmistakably fast.

From the opening run, the Australian set the tone. Her lines were clean, her exits sharp, and her ability to maintain speed through the high, sweeping curves distinguished her from the field. While Hasler thrilled the home crowd with a powerful push and smooth descent, and Beierl impressed with her consistency, neither could match Walker’s blend of speed and stability across the runs.

St. Moritz has a reputation for exposing even the smallest errors, and that was evident throughout the competition. Several athletes struggled with the track’s subtleties, where sunlight, temperature shifts and natural ice conditions can transform a fast line into a costly mistake. Walker, however, looked increasingly at ease as the event progressed, adapting to the evolving surface with the confidence of an athlete in peak form.

“This track demands respect,” Walker said after the race. “You have to be precise, but you also have to trust your instincts. Today, everything came together.”

The victory carries particular weight as the countdown continues toward the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, now just weeks away. In a season defined by tight margins and intense competition, Walker’s consistency has set her apart. Three World Cup wins have not only boosted her confidence but also sent a clear message to rivals: the Australian is arriving at the Games with momentum and belief.

Monobob, still a relatively young Olympic discipline, has quickly become one of the most competitive events on the sliding circuit. With identical sleds supplied to all competitors, success hinges on start speed, driving skill and mental resilience. Walker’s background in athletics, combined with years of experience in bobsleigh, has given her an edge in this finely balanced contest.

For Australia, a nation more readily associated with summer sport, Walker’s success continues to resonate beyond the ice track. Her achievements have helped elevate the profile of winter sport back home, inspiring a new generation to look toward the snow and ice with ambition rather than limitation.

Hasler, finishing second on home ice, acknowledged the challenge posed by Walker’s pace. “Bree was incredibly strong today,” the Swiss racer said. “On this track, you have to be perfect. She was very close to that.” Beierl, completing the podium, praised the competitive depth of the field and pointed to the Olympics as the next major test.

As the World Cup circuit edges closer to its climax, the focus inevitably shifts toward Olympic readiness. Equipment checks, fine-tuning of starts and mental preparation now take precedence over experimentation. For Walker, the win in Switzerland offers reassurance that her approach is working — and that she is peaking at the right moment.

In the thin Alpine air, with the ghosts of sliding legends seemingly watching on, Bree Walker carved another confident run into the ice. Gold in St. Moritz was not just another medal; it was a declaration that, as the world’s attention turns toward Italy, Australia’s monobob star is ready to race for something even bigger.