Aussie Bree Walker Among Favourites for Olympic Gold at Milan-Cortina

<h2>Aussie Bree Walker Among Favourites for Olympic Gold at Milan-Cortina – Podium News Summary:</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>- &nbsp; Mount Evelyn's Bree Walker finished second in World Cup Monobob rankings for the third consecutive year heading into Milan-Cortina 2026.</p> <p>- &nbsp; The 33-year-old Australian secured three victories and five podium finishes from seven World Cup starts this season.</p> <p>- &nbsp; These results have seen her installed as the second favourite for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/bobsleigh/bobsleigh-womens-winter-olympics-2026/monobob-10072326">Women’s Monobob at the 2026 Winter Olympics.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Record-Breaking World Cup Performance</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Mount Evelyn native has established herself as bobsleigh's most consistent performer, claiming second place in the overall World Cup standings for an unprecedented third consecutive year.</p> <p>Walker's remarkable season included three race victories and five podium appearances across seven World Cup events, culminating with a silver medal at the final monobob competition in Altenberg, Germany.</p> <p>Walker's standout moment came at the prestigious St Moritz-Celerina track in Switzerland, where she became the first Australian athlete ever to claim victory on the legendary course.</p> <p>This historic achievement adds another milestone to her already impressive international career.</p> <p>"I am absolutely stoked to finish on the podium again in the last race of the season," Walker told the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia following her Altenberg silver medal.</p> <p>"To finish second, which then secured my second place overall, I am on top of the world."</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Building Momentum for Milan-Cortina</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Walker's exceptional form represents the perfect preparation for her second Winter Olympics appearance.</p> <p>The former athletics competitor, who trains primarily overseas while calling Queensland home, has transformed herself into one of the world's elite bobsledders since transitioning sports.</p> <p>Her 2022 Beijing Olympics performance, where she finished fifth just 2.28 seconds behind gold medallist Kaillie Humphries, remains Australia's highest-ever Olympic bobsleigh result.</p> <p>That achievement demonstrated Walker's potential on the sport's biggest stage, setting expectations for an even stronger showing in Italy.</p> <p>"I definitely feel that my driving has gone to a whole new level this year," Walker explained. "It's been such a team effort to get me to this point. This season I just wanted to build momentum towards the Games, and I think we have done that."</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Dual Event Challenge Ahead</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/bobsleigh/bobsleigh-womens-winter-olympics-2026/monobob-10072326">Walker will compete in both monobob and two-woman bobsleigh events at Milan-Cortina</a>, partnering with brakewoman Kiara Reddingius for the team competition.</p> <p>The dual-event approach maximises Australia's medal opportunities while showcasing Walker's versatility across bobsleigh disciplines.</p> <p>The 33-year-old's journey from Yarra Ranges Athletics to international bobsleigh stardom exemplifies her determination to represent Australia at the highest level.</p> <p>Her success continues breaking new ground for Australian winter sports, particularly in disciplines traditionally dominated by Northern Hemisphere nations.</p> <p>Competition begins with official training sessions on February 12 at the Cortina Sliding Centre, with heats one and two scheduled for Sunday February 15.</p> <p>Walker enters these Olympics with unprecedented confidence and form, carrying genuine medal hopes for Australian bobsleigh's brightest moment yet.</p>