Team-First Philosophy Propels Canadian Skeleton Athletes to 2026 Winter Olympics
Emotions ran high as Canada's skeleton team for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games was officially announced in Calgary. The three-person squad, featuring veteran slider Jane Channell alongside newcomers Hallie Clarke and Josip Brusic, represents a cohesive unit bound by shared determination and collective spirit.
Emotional Announcement in Calgary
The team selection was revealed during a press conference at the Lululemon store in Calgary's Market Mall on January 21, 2026. North Vancouver native Jane Channell struggled to contain her emotions as she addressed her teammates and the media, her tears of joy underscoring the significance of the moment.
"There really is no dream too big to dream," declared Channell, her face breaking into a broad smile despite the emotional weight of the occasion. "And guess what? You guys did it!"
Veteran Leadership and New Talent
Channell brings extensive Olympic experience to the team, having competed at both the 2018 Pyeongchang and 2022 Beijing Games. At 37 years old, she now prepares for her third Olympic appearance, this time as the veteran leader guiding first-time Olympians Clarke and Brusic.
"Getting to be a part of Hallie's and Josip's journey and just being a small part of that is something I don't take lightly," Channell explained. "Seeing how far they've come has been truly inspiring for me. To see that the program is progressing—it's going in the right direction—is incredible."
Building a Lasting Legacy
The Canadian skeleton program has focused intensively on developing team culture and national representation over the past four years. According to Channell, this marks the first time in her career that selection feels like a program-wide achievement rather than individual accomplishment.
"For the first time in my career, it feels like we did it as a program," Channell emphasized. "Over the last four years, we have done a great deal of work on building our team, our culture and understanding what it means to represent Canada. Our path leading us today has been filled with hard work, adversity and determination."
Complete Team Roster and Competition Details
The Canadian skeleton contingent heading to Italy includes:
- Josip Brusic (Okotoks, Alberta)
- Jane Channell (North Vancouver, British Columbia)
- Hallie Clarke (Brighton, Ontario)
Support staff accompanying the athletes:
- Joe Cecchini (Calgary) - Coach
- Kevin Boyer (Sherwood Park, Alberta) - Coach
- Micaela Widmer (Calgary) - Team Leader
- Dr. Ainsley Vetesse (Calgary) - Integrated Support Team
Team Canada will compete in multiple events at the Cortina Sliding Centre from February 12-15, 2026 (Days 6-9 of the Games). The competition schedule includes:
- Women's individual skeleton event
- Men's individual skeleton event
- Mixed team event (making its Olympic debut at Milano Cortina)
A Cohesive Unit Ready for Olympic Challenge
While this may not represent Canada's largest skeleton contingent ever sent to an Olympic Games, Channell believes it stands as the most unified and purpose-driven team in recent memory. The emphasis on team culture and shared values has created a foundation that extends beyond individual performance.
"We actually have athletes to carry on sliding in that legacy," Channell noted, highlighting the program's sustainable development approach. The combination of veteran experience and fresh talent, supported by dedicated coaching and medical staff, positions Canada's skeleton team as a formidable competitor on the world's biggest winter sports stage.
The journey to Milano Cortina represents not just athletic achievement but the culmination of years of program development, cultural building, and collective determination that defines modern Canadian winter sports excellence.
