Honda Helps Team USA Win Three Bobsled Medals at 2026 Olympics

The automaker's aero expertise proved crucial in the design of the American bobsleds.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Honda has been working with Team USA's bobsled program for less than a year, but the partnership has already paid dividends with American sledders taking home three medals, including gold, at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games. The automaker's team of aerodynamics specialists have been using their wind tunnel facilities to optimize the sleds' shapes, even accounting for the unique challenges of incorporating the athletes' bodies into the design.

Why it matters

Bobsled is an event where aerodynamics play a crucial role, and Honda's expertise in this area has given Team USA a competitive edge against other nations. The partnership highlights how automakers can leverage their engineering capabilities to support Olympic sports programs and help American athletes achieve success on the world stage.

The details

Honda has been working with Team USA's bobsled program for less than a year, but the collaboration has already proven fruitful. The automaker's team of aerodynamics specialists at the Honda Automotive Laboratories of Ohio have been using their wind tunnel facilities to optimize the shape of the American bobsleds, taking into account the unique challenges of incorporating the athletes' bodies into the design. This has helped Team USA sledders, including 41-year-old Elana Meyers Taylor, win three medals, including gold, at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games.

  • Honda began working with Team USA's bobsled program less than a year ago.
  • The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games took place in February 2026.
  • Elana Meyers Taylor, a 41-year-old Olympian, won gold in the monobob event.

The players

Honda

An automaker that has been working with Team USA's bobsled program, leveraging its expertise in aerodynamics to help optimize the design of the American sleds.

Elana Meyers Taylor

A 41-year-old American Olympian who won gold in the monobob event at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games.

Nicole Whiting

A Senior Aerodynamic Test Engineer for Honda who has been leading the company's efforts to support Team USA's bobsled program.

Kaysha Love

A Team USA Olympian and a Team Honda athlete ambassador.

Colin Jost

A Saturday Night Live cast member who experienced the terror of bobsled racing firsthand during an Olympic special report.

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What they’re saying

“Immediately, I said 'I'm in.' It's something I didn't think I'd ever have the opportunity to do, nor one I knew much about going in, but it's been amazing.”

— Nicole Whiting, Senior Aerodynamic Test Engineer, Honda (yahoo.com)

“For a company like Honda to invest and believe in your dreams, that's when incredible things happen, and we start seeing those dreams come to life.”

— Kaysha Love, Team USA Olympian, Team Honda athlete ambassador (yahoo.com)

“I was not prepared for the level of terror from this bobsled. I swear to God, I thought I was going to die.”

— Colin Jost (yahoo.com)

What’s next

Honda engineers will continue working with Team USA, combining the lessons learned during the 2026 Olympics with ongoing wind tunnel testing to create an all-new bobsled design for the upcoming Bobsled World Cup season.

The takeaway

Honda's partnership with Team USA's bobsled program demonstrates how automakers can leverage their engineering expertise to support Olympic sports and help American athletes achieve success on the world stage. The company's aerodynamic know-how has already paid dividends, with Team USA winning three medals, including gold, at the 2026 Winter Games.