American Ashley Farquharson wins Olympic luge bronze

First U.S. women's luge medal since 2014 goes to Farquharson after thrilling competition

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Ashley Farquharson, an American luger from Park City, Utah, captured the bronze medal in the women's luge singles event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Farquharson's performance marked just the second time an American has won an Olympic medal in the event, with the last being Erin Hamlin's bronze in 2014.

Why it matters

Luge is a niche winter sport in the United States, and Farquharson's medal represents a significant achievement for the U.S. luge program. Her success could help inspire more American athletes to take up the sport and raise the profile of luge in the country.

The details

Farquharson, who started luge as an after-school activity in her hometown of Park City, Utah, overcame a fifth-place start to earn the bronze medal. Germany's Julia Taubitz won the gold medal, while Latvia's Elena Bota took the silver. Farquharson's American teammates, Emily Fischnaller and Summer Britcher, finished 12th and 14th, respectively.

  • The women's luge singles event took place on Tuesday, February 11, 2026 at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

The players

Ashley Farquharson

An American luger from Park City, Utah who captured the bronze medal in the women's luge singles event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, marking just the second time an American has won an Olympic medal in the event.

Julia Taubitz

A German luger who won the gold medal in the women's luge singles event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

Elena Bota

A Latvian luger who won the silver medal in the women's luge singles event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

Emily Fischnaller

An American luger and longtime teammate of Ashley Farquharson who finished 12th in the women's luge singles event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

Summer Britcher

An American luger and four-time Olympian who finished 14th in the women's luge singles event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“It really didn't feel real. And then everyone meeting me on the ice, and the whirlwind it's been since then has really cemented it. For a couple seconds when I was coming up the outrun, I was like, 'that's not real.'”

— Ashley Farquharson (foxnews.com)

“This was the dream. And now the dream comes true.”

— Julia Taubitz (foxnews.com)

“Super happy for Ashley, very happy for USA Luge. I mean, we are the ones on the sled, but there's a team behind us with everything that we do. So, that's just a testament to all the work that everyone has put into it.”

— Emily Fischnaller, U.S. teammate (foxnews.com)

The takeaway

Farquharson's bronze medal represents a significant achievement for the U.S. luge program and could help inspire more American athletes to take up the sport, potentially raising its profile in the country. Her success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire U.S. luge team.