MILANO-CORTINA 2026 SKELETON
THE CAS AD HOC DIVISION RULES THAT IT HAS NO JURISDICTION TO CONSIDER AN APPLICATION BY KATIE UHLAENDER (USA)
Milan, 2 February 2026 – The CAS Ad hoc Division has ruled that it has no jurisdiction to consider an application by Skeleton athlete Katie Uhlaender (USA) against Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS), coach Joe Cecchini and the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (IBSF). The results of the 11 January 2026 IBSF North American Cup Race (the “Race”) and Skeleton qualification places for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 (2026 OWG) remain unchanged.
Filed on 31 January 2026, the application concerned a decision by the IBSF Appeals Tribunal on 23 January 2026 which determined that it does not have the authority to modify the results of the Race. Four Canadian sliders were withdrawn from the Race, causing a reduction of the points an athlete can earn.
In her application, Ms Uhlaender requested CAS to determine whether the decision to withdraw four athletes from the Race was in violation of the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions. Ms Uhlaender also requested that full ranking points be awarded for the Race, which may affect the selections for the 2026 OWG.
The Respondents argued that even if Ms Uhlaender were awarded additional points, this would not lead to an additional 2026 OWG place for the USA team, nor would she automatically qualify; and that it would be for the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and USA Bobsled Skeleton to replace one of the already nominated athletes, either Ms Kelly Curtis (USA) or Ms Mystique Ro (USA). USOPC was not listed as a Party to the procedure. The Respondents also contended that the CAS Ad hoc Division did not have jurisdiction to hear the dispute.
A hearing was held on 1 February 2026 where the CAS Ad hoc Division Panel carefully considered the evidence and the submissions. In its Award, the CAS Panel noted that the CAS Ad hoc Division for the 2026 OWG has been established to resolve disputes only insofar as they arise during the 2026 OWG or during a period of 10 days preceding the Opening Ceremony (on 6 February 2026). As a result, the dispute must have arisen by 27 January 2026 at the earliest in order to fall within its jurisdiction.
Considering the chronology of the events between Ms Uhlaender and the Respondents, the CAS Panel concluded that the latest date on which the dispute arose was 23 January 2026, on which date the IBSF Appeals Tribunal issued its decision. Consequently, the application fell outside the jurisdiction of the CAS Ad hoc Division Milano Cortina 2026.
Unless Parties request confidentiality, the CAS Award will be published shortly on the CAS website.
