The 2025 IBSF Bobsled and Skeleton World Championships in Lake Placid, N.Y., wrapped up last weekend with U.S. athletes on the podium. Kaysha Love, a former track athlete, won the gold medal in monobob, and veteran bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor finished third, winning her 10th World Championship medal.
Sylvia Hoffman, 2022 Olympic bronze medalist in the two-woman bobsled, did not qualify for the World Championships, but was on hand as a forerunner. That means she did preliminary runs down the track to ensure track conditions and safety were satisfactory.
“Everyone’s excited to be here in Lake Placid,” she said midway through the competition. “A lot of people have come out. We have hospitality tents set up at different parts of the track … I’m happy that I’m able to be here and be a part of the environment.”
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On the skeleton side, Mystique Ro won silver in the women’s event and gold in the first skeleton mixed team event, partnering with Austin Florian.
Hoffman remained in Lake Placid after the conclusion of the championships for USA Bobsled-Skeleton selection races, which set racers up for next season. A huge plus of being in Lake Placid is that she was able to use her own sled, which she was unable to have during the World Cup season due to the high cost of shipping the sled to Europe. Despite the challenges, she set some start records and had top 10 finishes.
“It’s been nice to get back to the monobob in my own sled that I’ve won medals in,” said Hoffman, who rented sleds when in Europe. “The hardest part is how quickly can I adapt? Is the sled that I’m in actually fast? That all comes down to funding and sponsorship.”
Equipment is a crucial part of bobsled, and having your own sled provides an advantage. To set herself up for a return trip to the Olympics (at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, Hoffman was the brakeman for Meyers Taylor and has since transitioned to pilot), she has to have her own monobob with her throughout the season.
“Each day is going to be a challenge … but I chose this route and you have to see it through,” said Hoffman, who would love to do motivational speaking for companies and colleges to start collaborations with potential sponsors. “I’m focusing on my piloting skills. I have goals of being the best that I can be.”
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