[[File:Melissa Lotholz (cropped).jpg|thumb|Melissa Lotholz at the 2018 Winter Olympics]] Melissa Lotholz (born December 2, 1992) is a Canadian bobsledder who competes as both a brakewoman and a pilot. Hailing from Barrhead, Alberta, she is a two-time Olympian, having represented Canada at the 2018 Pyeongchang and 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Lotholz initially competed as a brakewoman before transitioning to the pilot's seat.
Early Life and Background
Melissa Lotholz was born in Barrhead, Alberta, Canada. Prior to her bobsleigh career, she was a track and field athlete, specializing in sprinting and hurdling events. She competed collegiately for the University of Alberta Pandas. Her background in athletics provided a strong foundation for the power and speed required in bobsleigh.Bobsleigh Career
As a Brakewoman
Lotholz joined the Canadian bobsleigh program and quickly established herself as a formidable brakewoman. She teamed up with pilot Kaillie Humphries for the 2015–16 World Cup season, earning multiple podium finishes. She later formed a successful partnership with Christine de Bruin.- World Cup Success: As a brakewoman, Lotholz achieved numerous podium finishes on the IBSF World Cup circuit, securing several silver and bronze medals.
- World Championships: At the 2016 IBSF World Championships in Igls, Austria, she won a silver medal in the two-woman event with pilot Kaillie Humphries. She also earned a silver medal at the 2017 IBSF World Championships in Königssee, Germany, again with Humphries.
- 2018 Winter Olympics: Lotholz made her Olympic debut at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, competing in the two-woman event with pilot Christine de Bruin. They finished in 7th place.
Transition to Pilot
Following the 2018 Olympics, Lotholz decided to transition from brakewoman to pilot, taking on the demanding role of steering the sled. This transition required a significant development of new skills and a different approach to training and competition.- Pilot Development: She began competing as a pilot on the North American Cup circuit to gain experience, steadily progressing to the World Cup level.
- World Cup as Pilot: As a pilot, Lotholz has continued to compete on the World Cup circuit, working to establish herself among the top international pilots. She achieved her first World Cup podium as a pilot in January 2022, securing a bronze medal in the monobob event in Altenberg, Germany.
2022 Winter Olympics
Lotholz qualified for her second Olympic Games as a pilot at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.- Monobob: She competed in the inaugural Olympic women's monobob event, finishing in 12th place.
- Two-Woman: In the two-woman event, she piloted the Canada 2 sled with brakewoman Sara Villani, finishing in 13th place.
Major Results
Olympic Games
- 2018 Pyeongchang: 7th (Two-Woman, with Christine de Bruin)
- 2022 Beijing: 12th (Monobob), 13th (Two-Woman, with Sara Villani)
World Championships
- 2016 Igls: Silver (Two-Woman, with Kaillie Humphries)
- 2017 Königssee: Silver (Two-Woman, with Kaillie Humphries)
World Cup Medals (Selected)
- Multiple medals as a brakewoman (with pilots Kaillie Humphries and Christine de Bruin).
- One bronze medal as a pilot (Monobob, Altenberg 2022).
External Links
- [https://olympic.ca/team-canada/melissa-lotholz/ Melissa Lotholz at Canadian Olympic Committee]
- [https://www.ibsf.org/en/athletes/athlete/130103/LOTHOLZ Melissa Lotholz at IBSF]
[[Category:Canadian bobsledders]] [[Category:Olympic bobsledders of Canada]] [[Category:Bobsledders at the 2018 Winter Olympics]] [[Category:Bobsledders at the 2022 Winter Olympics]] [[Category:Sportspeople from Barrhead, Alberta]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:1992 births]]