From University of Arizona Heptathlon to Team Canada Bobsleigh, Skylar Sieben Makes Olympic Leap

Sieben, a former Wildcats multi-event star, is competing in two-woman bobsled at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Skylar Sieben, a University of Arizona alumna who competed in the heptathlon for the Wildcats, has made the remarkable transition from collegiate track and field to representing Team Canada in two-woman bobsled at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. After completing her master's degree in cellular and molecular medicine in 2024, Sieben decided to pursue her Olympic dream in the winter sport, despite having only two seasons of bobsleigh experience.

Why it matters

Sieben's story highlights the versatility and adaptability of elite athletes, as she has seamlessly transitioned from the heptathlon, a demanding multi-event track and field competition, to the high-speed and high-stakes world of Olympic bobsleigh. Her journey also showcases the strong support system she has built in Tucson, Arizona, where she spent six years as a Wildcat, as well as the continued ties she maintains with her hometown of Calgary, Alberta.

The details

At the University of Arizona, Sieben was a standout multi-event athlete, earning two degrees, including a bachelor's of science in biology, while competing in the heptathlon. She qualified for the NCAA Finals in 2021 and won the pentathlon at the Pac-12 Invitational in 2022. After completing her master's degree in 2024, Sieben decided to pursue her Olympic dreams in bobsleigh, a sport she was encouraged to try by U of A pole vault coach Dominic Johnson. Sieben has had to adapt to the significant behind-the-scenes work required in bobsleigh, from sanding and polishing runners to maintaining the sled, but her experience of working with different teammates at the U of A has helped her adjust quickly. At the 2026 Winter Olympics, Sieben will race with pilot Bianca Ribbi, despite the pair never having raced together before.

  • Sieben competed in the heptathlon for five years at the University of Arizona, from 2018 to 2023.
  • Sieben graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor's of science in biology in 2022.
  • Sieben completed her master's degree in cellular and molecular medicine at the University of Arizona in 2024.
  • Sieben decided to pursue bobsleigh after finishing her master's degree in 2024.
  • Sieben will compete in the two-woman bobsled event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy on February 20 and 21.

The players

Skylar Sieben

A former multi-event athlete for the University of Arizona Wildcats, who is now competing in two-woman bobsled for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Bianca Ribbi

Sieben's pilot for the two-woman bobsled event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Dominic Johnson

The pole vault coach at the University of Arizona who encouraged Sieben to try bobsleigh.

Dr. Jean Wilson

The professor in whose lab Sieben worked on her master's thesis in cellular and molecular medicine at the University of Arizona.

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What they’re saying

“After I finally graduated with my masters, I was kind of at a crossroads. I was like, 'Do I start working?'”

— Skylar Sieben (arizona.edu)

“A big misconception coming into the sport is you don't realize how much behind the scenes work there is. It definitely threw me for a loop.”

— Skylar Sieben (arizona.edu)

“I feel like I have just as big of a community in Tucson as I do back home. And that's really cool.”

— Skylar Sieben (arizona.edu)

What’s next

Sieben and her bobsled partner Bianca Ribbi will compete in the qualifying rounds for the two-woman bobsled event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy on February 20 and 21. If they survive the qualifying rounds, they will advance to the final competition.

The takeaway

Skylar Sieben's remarkable transition from a successful collegiate heptathlete to an Olympic bobsledder in just two seasons showcases the adaptability and versatility of elite athletes. Her story also highlights the strong support system she has built in Tucson, Arizona, where she spent six years as a Wildcat, as well as the continued ties she maintains with her hometown of Calgary, Alberta.