Janine Flock Claims Historic Skeleton Gold at Milano Cortina 2026
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, 14 February 2026 – Austria’s Janine Flock has finally secured the elusive Olympic gold medal that has defined her two-decade career, delivering a dominant performance at the Eugenio Monti Olympic Sliding Centre on Saturday.
At 36 years of age, Flock overcame years of “near-misses”—most notably the heartbreak of the Pyeongchang 2018 Games—to finish atop the podium in the women’s singles skeleton. The veteran slider, a three-time World Cup overall champion, produced a consistent series of runs, including a track record of 57.22 seconds during her opening heat, to hold off a fierce challenge from the German contingent.
A Career-Defining Victory
Entering the final day of competition with a narrow lead of 0.04 seconds over Germany’s Susanne Kreher, Flock maintained her composure through the third and fourth heats. She eventually widened the gap to 0.30 seconds, relegating the 2023 World Champion, Kreher, to the silver medal position. The victory marks Austria’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in women’s skeleton.
“I am incredibly happy with the performance,” Flock stated following her final run. “I enjoyed the sliding today; it was pure fun. After four Olympic Games and 27 years in the sport, to finally have this medal is a dream realised.”
Milano Cortina 2026: Women’s Skeleton Final Standings
| Position | Athlete | Nationality | Time Behind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Janine Flock | Austria | — |
| Silver | Susanne Kreher | Germany | +0.30s |
| Bronze | Jacqueline Pfeifer | Germany | N/A |
The Road to Redemption
Flock’s journey to the gold has been one of the most followed narratives of the 2026 Winter Games. Despite having 15 World Cup race wins and 45 podium finishes to her name, she had previously gone winless in 16 appearances across Olympic and World Championship events. Her victory in Cortina d’Ampezzo erases the memory of 2018, where she entered the final run in first place only to finish outside the medals in fourth.
The competition also saw strong performances from Belgium’s Kim Meylemans, who finished in 6th place, securing an Olympic diploma. Meanwhile, Canadian athletes Jane Channell and Hallie Clarke finished 18th and 19th respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Janine Flock?
Janine Flock is 36 years old. She was born in 1989 and has been competing in skeleton for approximately 27 years.
How many Olympic medals does Janine Flock have?
As of 14 February 2026, Janine Flock has one Olympic medal: a gold won at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.
Which track record did she break during the 2026 Games?
Flock set a new track record at the Eugenio Monti Olympic Sliding Centre in Cortina d’Ampezzo with a time of 57.22 seconds during her first heat.