Kaillie Humphries Armbruster celebrated a significant milestone in her illustrious bobsledding career on December 17, 2023, as she secured her first victory since becoming a mother. Competing in a World Cup two-woman race at Sigulda, Latvia, she teamed up with Emily Renna to clinch the win, marking a triumphant return to form just weeks before the Milan Cortina Olympics. This victory not only highlighted her resilience but also added a special touch to her journey as an athlete and a parent.
Holding her son, Aulden, on the medal podium, Humphries Armbruster expressed her joy, stating, “Being back on top after three years feels great. This is my first win as a mom and a first win ever for Emily. This is a special one for us both.” The race was particularly significant as it ended a remarkable run for German athletes in the two-woman event, who had dominated the World Cup circuit since January 22, 2023.
With this victory, Humphries Armbruster achieved her 31st World Cup two-woman win, bringing her total World Cup golds to 35 when including her monobob victories. Overall, it was her 43rd career victory when accounting for Olympic and world championship races. Renna, who celebrated her first World Cup gold as a brakewoman, shared her excitement, saying, “I’m really proud of how we focused on what we could control and how we put a really great race together as a team.”
As the U.S. women’s bobsled team builds momentum heading into the Christmas break, Humphries Armbruster currently ranks second in the World Cup two-woman standings. Her teammate, Kaysha Love, also contributed to the team’s success, earning four medals in eight races this season. Elana Meyers Taylor, another notable figure in the sport, finished fourth in both the two-woman and monobob races at Sigulda.
The race in Latvia saw a strong performance from German competitors as well. Lisa Buckwitz and Lauryn Siebert took silver, while Laura Nolte and Leonie Kluwig secured bronze. Nolte has maintained an impressive streak, medaling in all eight two-woman and monobob races this season, leading the World Cup standings in both disciplines.
In the two-man event held on the same day, Johannes Lochner emerged victorious, defeating Francesco Friedrich for the third time this season. Adam Ammour claimed third place, marking his fourth bronze of the season. Frank Del Duca, competing alongside Hunter Powell, led the U.S. contingent with a sixth-place finish.
Looking ahead, the bobsled World Cup will continue with monobob and two-man races scheduled for January 3, 2024, in Winterberg, Germany. Luge and skeleton events will also take place at Sigulda on the same day, ensuring an exciting start to the new year for winter sports enthusiasts.
