Princeton Native Kelly Curtis Finishes 12th in Women's Skeleton at Milan Cortina

The Air Force sergeant and Winter Olympian continues to make history as the first Black athlete to compete for Team USA in skeleton.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Kelly Curtis, a 37-year-old American skeleton athlete from Princeton, New Jersey, finished 12th in the women's skeleton event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Curtis, who serves in the U.S. Air Force through the World Class Athlete Program, completed the four-run competition in a total time of 3:52.13, improving on her 21st place finish at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

Why it matters

Curtis's participation in the Winter Olympics carries special significance as she broke barriers in 2022 by becoming the first Black athlete to represent Team USA in skeleton. Her continued success in the sport highlights the importance of diverse representation in winter sports, which can often be inaccessible due to the specialized facilities and training required.

The details

In the women's skeleton event at Milan Cortina 2026, Curtis completed four runs down the icy track at speeds exceeding 120 kilometers per hour. Her 12th place finish represented a consistent performance across all four runs, an improvement from her 21st place result at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Curtis's teammate, Mystique Ro, also competed and finished 15th, giving Team USA two athletes in the top portion of the standings.

  • Kelly Curtis competed at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, finishing 21st in the women's skeleton event.
  • At the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Curtis finished 12th in the women's skeleton competition.

The players

Kelly Curtis

A 37-year-old American skeleton athlete from Princeton, New Jersey, who serves in the U.S. Air Force through the World Class Athlete Program.

Mystique Ro

Kelly Curtis's teammate on the U.S. women's skeleton team, who finished 15th in the event at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Kelly Curtis made history at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 as the first Black athlete to compete for Team USA in skeleton.”

— Team USA, Official Profile (Team USA)

The takeaway

Curtis's 12th place finish at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics demonstrates her steady progress and development in the highly technical sport of skeleton racing. As the first Black athlete to compete for Team USA in this discipline, her continued success reinforces the importance of diverse representation in winter sports and the ability for talent and determination to overcome barriers to international competition.