The 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo is four days away. Here is my interview with world champion women’s skeleton racer Hallie Clarke of Belleville, Ontario.
Q: How meaningful is it for you to go to an Olympic Winter Games as the 2024 world champion?
A: “Regardless of my accomplishments in the past, the Olympics has always been my dream. As Jane Channell said, competing at the Olympics has always been my dream since I watched the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver on television. Being an Olympian means so much, it is hard to put into words. It is emotional to achieve the lifelong dream. Going into the Olympic Winter Games as a world champion, I am trying not to put too much pressure and expectation on myself. The Olympics are a different environment. There will be more eyes watching than I ever experienced. I am trying not to dwell too much on that.”
Q: Is there anything from you world championship gold medal race in Winterberg that will give you confidence in Italy?
A: “Knowing how to handle separate race days. Hopefully, I will be in a good position between race days. I was in first place after day one in Winterberg. Learning from that and learning how to navigate that, that is not a new experience for me. I think that brings me a lot confidence. I have been in that position and have done this before. That is the situation I am in. Regardless, I feel like I had that experience behind me.”
Q: What was it like to be a world senior champion and a world junior champion?
A: “It is hard for me to explain. It was always a goal of mine at some point to win the senior world championships. My goal during this quad was to win the world junior championships. It happened the opposite way. (Won gold at the 2025 World Junior Skeleton Championships in St. Moritz). (Giggles). This was kind of a whirlwind. It was unexpected by everyone else, including me. It was amazing to accomplish so many goals early in my career. I think it gave me a lot of confidence. There are a lot of navigating pressures after that. I think it has taught me a lot going into the Games.”
Q: Canada has had a lot of success in skeleton. You can go back to the careers of Duff Gibson, Jeff Pain, Mellisa Hollingsworth, Jon Montgomery, and Amy Gough. Have you had any advice from them along the way, or have you sought advice from those who have had past success?
A: “I have not got advice from skeleton racers, but have from figure skaters. After my world championships, former skeleton racers reached out to me, and told me to enjoy the moment and they would be there if I needed anything. Jon Montgomery was one of them. He was super kind. I have not met most of them in person. Jeff Pain is a coach for Korea, and we have a relationship with the Korean team, so I do know him.”
Q: In terms of a placement in Italy, do you have a personal goal?
A: “I am trying not to think too much about placement or results. It is about trying to put my best foot forward, and put everything I have worked over the last four years into it. I think if I can enjoy it without getting caught up in anything outside of the event, I think that is a win for me.”