Full Breakdown
Janine Flock Leads Women's Skeleton at Milan Cortina Games
2/14/2026, 3:47:40 AM
Midpoint Performance Overview
Janine Flock, a 36-year-old Austrian skeleton slider, has taken the lead in the women's skeleton race at the Milan Cortina Games, held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Flock, a four-time Olympian, is pursuing her first Olympic medal after previously finishing fourth in the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, ninth in 2014, and tenth in 2022. At the midway point of the competition, she clocked a time of 1 minute, 54.48 seconds, placing her ahead of competitors from Germany and Britain. Following Flock are Susanne Kreher (1:54.52), Jacqueline Pfeifer (1:54.61), and reigning Olympic champion Hannah Neise (1:54.85), with British sliders Tabitha Stoecker (1:55.01) and Freya Tarbit (1:55.16) rounding out the top six.
Flock's Competitive History
Flock's career is marked by significant achievements, including being a three-time World Cup overall champion and accumulating 15 World Cup race wins along with 45 World Cup medals. Despite her impressive resume, she has yet to secure a gold medal in major competitions, including the Olympics. Flock's performance at the Milan Cortina Games has reignited hopes for her to finally claim an Olympic medal.
Official Statements & Responses
Flock expressed her satisfaction with her performance, stating, “I just tried to do what I’ve been doing for 20 years now, having a really good run, enjoying the run and enjoying what I’m doing." Meanwhile, Kreher, who is currently in second place, remarked on her surprise at her performance, given her less-than-ideal training runs leading up to the event.
Historical Context and Challenges
Flock's journey in Olympic skeleton racing has been fraught with challenges. In the 2018 Olympics, she held the lead going into the final run but ultimately finished fourth, a result that continues to haunt her as she competes in Milan. The pressure to perform well in the final heats is compounded by her previous near-misses, making her current lead both a promising and daunting position.
What's Next
The final two heats of the women's skeleton event are scheduled for Saturday, where Flock will aim to maintain her lead and secure her first Olympic medal. Historically, the midpoint leader in the women's skeleton has never finished worse than second in previous Olympics, offering Flock a glimmer of hope as she approaches the final runs.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I just tried to do what I’ve been doing for 20 years now, having a really good run, enjoying the run and enjoying what I’m doing." — Janine Flock, Austrian Skeleton Slider
- “I didn’t have these great training runs, so I am a bit surprised that I was so good.” — Susanne Kreher, German Skeleton Slider
