Tabby Stoecker wants to turn the skeleton track into her stage as she goes for gold at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Tabby Stoecker wants to turn the skeleton track into her stage as she goes for gold at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Stoecker heads to Italy as a real medal hope in both the women’s singles and mixed team event, having clinched overall World Cup bronze this season.
The 25-year-old has an unusual route to the sport having grown up in the world of circus acts before switching to skeleton during her A-Levels.
The two sports may be unlikely bedfellows but Stoecker believes she can bring plenty of artistry to the ice – even at speeds of up to 90 miles per hour.
“I dreamed of cirque du soleil and I absolutely love the creative side of that,” she said.
“I think there is so much beauty in skeleton now because sliding is very technical but you also find a flow and it’s a bit of a dance down the track.
“It is still a way of performing. It is just you on that sled and you see the lines and it can be really artistic. I have brought that over from my sporting journey before skeleton.
“When you are off the ice and you have those opportunities when people can see a bit of you, I try to bring a bit of individuality with jewellery in my hair and the ways that I am going to be showing up.
“I want to inspire other young girls to get into sport and really go after their dreams because anything is possible.”
Stoecker is set for her Olympic debut but could well be one of the sliders to beat after a stellar season.
Her World Cup bronze made her the first British woman to win an overall World Cup medal since double Olympic champion Lizzy Yarnold.
It was proof of her ability to mix it with the very best and the 25-year-old is confident she can deal with the raised expectations that will now follow her to Cortina.
“It feels like such a privilege to have a bit of external pressure now,” she said.
“That feels really special and a privilege that people are recognising that I have been performing really well.
“The internal pressure is that I just want to come away feeling proud and like I’ve done my very best.
“Knowing that my very best has been enough to win medals and has been able to stand on that podium gives me a lot of trust and confidence that hopefully everything going well I will be able to come away with a result that makes me scream with happiness.”
Stoecker heads to the Games as part of a tight-knit and highly-rated British team, that includes team-mates Amelia Coltman and Freya Tarbit.
The trio are friends on and off the ice, even going on holiday with each other and hosting an informal book club while on the road.
Stoecker will also have the support of plenty of other friends and family out in Italy, as well as one particularly strong relationship.
“I don’t think everyone does this but my sled is called Fred, Fred the sled,” she explained.
“Me and Fred are best buddies. Fred has got my back, he is coming to the Games with me and he is going to be at his fastest.
“I found it really useful making a relationship with Fred. I talk to Fred, I try and make sure Fred is ready just as much as I am.”