St. Moritz, Switzerland – Kim Meylemans is on the cusp of making history, sitting just 64 hundredths of a second off the podium after the third run of the women’s skeleton competition at the World Championships in St. Moritz on Saturday. The Belgian athlete, who has been a dominant force in the sport this season, will enter the final run with a chance to secure a medal, and potentially even gold.
Meylemans’ performance so far has been remarkable, building on a stellar season that saw her become Belgium’s first overall World Cup winner in Women’s Skeleton. Born in Germany but competing for Belgium, the 29-year-old has consistently challenged the top names in the sport, culminating in a series of impressive victories, including two World Cup wins in Sigulda, Latvia, and one in St. Moritz.
The competition in St. Moritz has been fiercely contested, with several athletes vying for a spot on the podium. According to the streaming schedule for the Winter Olympics, the women’s skeleton event concluded today, February 14th, after Runs 3 and 4. NBC Olympics reports that Meylemans is currently ranked among the top contenders, entering the final run with a strong chance of medaling.
A Season of Firsts for Meylemans
This season has been a breakthrough for Meylemans, marked by a series of historic achievements. In December 2024, she celebrated her first victory on the World Cup circuit in Altenberg, Germany. This followed a second-place finish in Sigulda, Latvia, earlier in the 2024 season, coinciding with her victory at the European Championships. However, her most significant accomplishment came in January 2026, when she won the overall World Cup title, a first for a Belgian skeleton racer.
Prior to her recent successes, Meylemans had already established herself as a consistent performer on the international stage. She finished 14th at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and 18th at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. She also became the first Belgian skeleton European champion on February 2, 2024, at the Skeleton World Cup race in Sigulda, Latvia, and the first Belgian skeleton world championships medal winner on February 23, 2024, winning a silver medal at the Skeleton World Championships in Winterberg, Germany.
The Road to St. Moritz
Meylemans’ journey to the top hasn’t been without its challenges. She began competing in skeleton in 2009 after starting out in football, and was initially selected to the German national team in 2013 before switching to the Belgium national team in the 2014-15 season. She is currently coached by Fernando Oliva and Martin Rettl, and rides a Schneider sled.
The current world No. 1, as reported by NBC Olympics, Meylemans entered the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics in strong form. While she didn’t reveal her full strategy during training runs, her consistent performance throughout the season has positioned her as a favorite for a medal.
What’s Next for Meylemans?
With the final run of the World Championships scheduled for later today, Meylemans will be looking to capitalize on her strong position and secure a place on the podium. The outcome of the competition will undoubtedly have a significant impact on her confidence heading into the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The women’s skeleton event at the Olympics is slated to begin on Friday, February 13th, with medalists crowned on Saturday, February 14th.
Fans can follow the action and cheer on Kim Meylemans as she continues to make history for Belgian skeleton racing. The next official update will be the final results from the World Championships in St. Moritz, which will be available on the official IBSF (International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation) website.
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