Olympic Gold Medallist & Trailblazer in Women’s Elite Sports, Calgary, AB
Photo courtesy of Kaillie Humphries
Kaillie Sigmundson was born on September 4th, 1985, in Calgary and raised amidst the rugged landscapes and vibrant sporting culture of Alberta, Canada. Kaillie stands as one of the most influential figures in the world of women’s elite sports. Renowned for her historic achievements in bobsleigh and her unwavering commitment to breaking barriers, Humphries’ journey from the slopes of Calgary to Olympic podiums across continents embodies resilience, courage, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Her story is not just about medals and victories—it is about changing the face of sport for women everywhere.
Early Years:
At the tender age of 7 years, Kaillie proclaimed that she would win an Olympic gold medal one day. The Simundson’s were having Mark Tewksbury over for dinner and he had brought his recently won Gold medal he won in the 100-meter backstroke and let little Kaillie slip the striped ribbon around her neck. The family smiled at her that evening but by the time Kaillie was a teenager she was on the Canadian national development team training as a ski racer. However, at 15, Kaillie broke each of her legs in separate crashes, requiring months of painful rehabilitation. Refusing to be defined by setback, Humphries sought a new challenge—one that would combine her speed, strength, and competitive spirit. She heard Bobsleigh Canada was holding a try-out at the Olympic track not far from the Simundson home. Kaillie was familiar with the track through watching the movie, Cool Runnings’ and excitedly signed up for the try-out. She was successful and earned an invitation to begin training as a brakeman. A short four years later, Kaillie was one of the youngest bob sleigh athletes at the 2006 Olympics in Torino, Italy. She walked in the opening and closing ceremonies and supported her teammates on race days but was not chosen to participate. Determined never to be side-lined again, Kaillie turned that disappointment into determination to succeed.
Determination and Resilience:
Refusing to be defined by setback, Kaillie made the decision to train as the pilot on the bobsleigh – a key position not so easily substituted out in an important race. For those not familiar, bobsleigh is a team sport in which crews of either two or four race down a narrow, twisting, banked ice track in a gravity powered sleigh, competing for the fastest times. It was a sport traditionally dominated by men with limited opportunities for women, where resources and recognition lagged far behind those available to men. Within a record-setting short number of years, Humphries emerged as a leading pilot, forging strong partnerships and earning the respect of her peers. Her technical skill, strategic acumen, and leadership transformed her teams into podium contenders and set her on a streak of record-breaking wins at World’s and Olympic events. It seemed that every time someone said to Kaillie, ‘It’s never been done before; it’s not possible’ was met with a ‘Really, watch me!’.
Olympic Gold
Humphries’ Olympic record is nothing short of historic. After just six years of training, Kaillie Humphries struck gold in the two-woman bobsled event at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Her victory established her as a leading athlete in the sport, coming out on top in the world and inspiring Canadians coast to coast.
She repeated her Olympic triumph at Sochi in 2014, again winning gold for Canada and making history as the first female bobsledder to defend an Olympic title. Her consecutive wins cemented her legacy and earned her the prestigious Lou Marsh Award as Canada’s Athlete of the Year.
After back-to-back Olympic gold medals, Kaillie’s commitment to advancing women’s participation in bobsleigh led her to campaign for inclusion in the four-man bobsleigh event. For two years, she advocated for women to be allowed to pilot four-man teams, arguing for equality and opportunity. In 2015, she made history as one of the first women to pilot a four-man bobsleigh team in a World Cup event. Meeting the same criteria as male participants—successful competitions on four terrains in two countries—Kaillie assembled a team, strategically leveraging her lighter weight to maximize her teammates’ options within the 650-pound sled limit. The team placed 15th, but the true victory was opening the door for co-ed competition. “It’s like being a pioneer,” Humphries shared in a CBC interview, capturing the significance of her achievement.
Kaillie’s success continued at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, where she won bronze and set another record as the most decorated woman in Olympic bobsleigh history. Her consistent podium finishes have made her a role model for athletes worldwide.
In 2019, Kaillie married her partner, American bobsleigh gold medallist Travis Armbruster, and joined the American bobsleigh team. Her transition was marked by anticipation as she awaited U.S. citizenship before she could officially enter any competitions. On December 2, 2021, she became a U.S. citizen in San Diego, California. Just two days later, she won her first race as an American citizen at the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Cup in Altenberg, Germany, demonstrating her adaptability and enduring talent. Kaillie went on to claim three world titles: the two-woman championships in 2020 and 2021, and the inaugural women’s Monobob World title for the U.S. in 2021. Her versatility across events showcases her technical skill and competitive drive.
At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Kaillie won gold in the debut Monobob event, earning the title of First-Ever Monobob Queen for the USA. She set another record with the largest victory margin in Olympic bobsledding in 42 years.
Another first - Kaillie Humphries holds a place in Olympic history as the first woman to win gold medals for two different countries, Canada and the United States.
Remarkably, Kaillie has stood on the podium over 70 times and has celebrated 34 World Cup victories. She has four Olympic medals - three Gold and one Bronze, and five Gold Medals in World competitions. Kaillie is considered one the greats in bobsled.
Advocacy and Breaking Barriers:
Beyond her athletic prowess, Kaillie Humphries is an outspoken advocate for equality and inclusion in sport. She has campaigned tirelessly to open the four-man bobsleigh discipline to women, challenging institutional barriers and sparking important conversations about gender equity. Humphries was a pioneer in co-ed bobsleigh competitions, pushing for the right of women to compete alongside men and proving that skill and determination transcend gender. In her last years with Canadian Olympic team, Kaillie challenged the style of coaching women’s teams received which led to her switching allegiance to the USA, but not before she publicly, and at great personal cost, made her point. She said it was important for her, as a gold medallist, to speak out to increase awareness and to demand safe environments for women in sport.
Family, Icelandic Roots and Tattoos:
Kaillie is known for her tattoos. She has 60% of her body tattooed. On Facebook, Kaillie posted, “My tattoos remind me of who I am, when I start to feel my identity getting blurred in the thick of life. They root me when I start to lose myself. They’re about memorializing something so important it needs to be engraved on my skin.” The number of tattoos featuring her family is a testament to how close they are and how pivotal her family has been in Kaillie’s development. As a teenager Kaillie was bullied at school often ‘ghosted’ and excluded from activities. At ski camp, she once found Jell-O in her sleeping bag and was made to ride the chairlift alone. Out of her experiences, and with her family’s support, Kaillie said she found an inner strength and courage she harnessed to reach her goals. Kaillie has also taken a public stand against bullying, doing public speaking for the anti-bullying campaign, ‘I’ve Been Bullied’ and the international organization Right to Play.
Tattoos became a meaningful way for Kaillie to carry her family with her when she began to travel widely for her competitions. In an interview with NBC, Kaillie explained, “I'm gone from my family a lot and they're my No. 1 biggest support so I like to take them with me, and this is a way that that will forever happen. All my tattoos — family, goals, dreams, hopes — are just kind of the story of my life, where I've been, and where I want to go, who I am and how I got there.” Kaillie has a tattoo around her left ankle of the Icelandic phrase “Vegna þess að þú elskaðir mig”, which her grandmother often said to her. She carries those words of love and encouragement in each step she takes. The whole family got tattoos when Kaillie made it to the national team. You can read more about Kaillie’s tattoos online here. Kaillie said in an interview, “All my tattoos — family, goals, dreams, hopes — are just kind of the story of my life, where I've been, and where I want to go, who I am and how I got there." Her tattoos are more than just body art; they are reminders of home, loved ones, and the journey that shaped her identity.
Strength, Determination, and the Journey to Motherhood:
Kaillie Humphries, renowned for her grit and tenacity as a gold medallist bobsleigh Olympic champion, brought the same unwavering perseverance and determination to her personal life in the hope of starting a family with her husband, Travis Armbruster, himself a champion in the sport. Their shared commitment to excellence extended beyond the icy tracks, as they faced a challenging journey toward parenthood.
Diagnosed with endometriosis, a condition known to cause severe pain and impact fertility, Kaillie encountered obstacles that tested her resolve. Refusing to relinquish the dream of having a child, she and Travis embarked on the demanding and unpredictable path of in vitro fertilization (IVF). The emotional toll of three unsuccessful IVF attempts was considerable, yet Kaillie drew upon the same grit and focus that propelled her to Olympic glory. In an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, she reflected, “If there’s anything sport has taught me, when the pressure gets high, keep everything simple and take it step by step.”
Persevering through disappointment and uncertainty, Kaillie’s steadfastness paid off. On 2024-07-14, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Aulden. Kaillie said in an interview, there were so many tears in the delivery room, her husband Travis and she, crying with joy.
Kaillie’s story of resilience continued as she returned to the global stage just nine months after giving birth. At the 2025 International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation World Championships in Lake Placid, she competed fiercely, finishing fourth—just missing the podium by one place. Partnering with her push athlete, Kaillie’s pride in their performance was evident, celebrating the achievement of returning to top-level competition so soon after childbirth.
Looking Ahead: The Road to the 2026 Winter Olympics
The Winter 2026 Olympics in Italy are coming up soon. With her sights set on gold once again, Kaillie Humphries continues to exemplify the power of perseverance, both as an athlete, an advocate and as a mother. Kaillie’s remarkable journey inspires us to pursue their dreams, undeterred by setbacks, and to face life’s challenges with resilience and hope.
Legacy
From the slopes of Calgary to the Olympic podiums of Vancouver, Sochi, PyeongChang, and Beijing, Kaillie Humphries has charted a path marked by triumph, challenge, and transformation. Her achievements as a dual citizen, trailblazer, and advocate embodies excellence, advocacy, and the spirit of a true pioneer. While Kaillie is known for her fierce competitiveness and remarkable achievements, she is equally recognized for her collaborative spirit, compassion for teammates, charitable advocacy work against bullying and dedication to her family.
Many of these qualities—courage, persistence, loyalty, and strength—echo the legendary figures of the Icelandic sagas, whose heroes were celebrated for their bravery, honour, and exceptional skills. These values, rooted in her upbringing and heritage, underpin Kaillie Humphries' phenomenal success in her athletic career, as well as her ability to inspire others.
Kaillie has reshaped the landscape of women’s elite sport. She stands as a symbol of what is possible when passion meets purpose—a true champion whose enduring significance will inspire generations to come on the ice and beyond.
References:
https://www.ibsf.org/en/our-sports/bobsleigh
https://www.cbc.ca/sports/kaillie-humphries-places-15th-in-4-man-event-makes-bobsled-history-1.2880381
Lake Placid Gold 2010 https://www.ibsf.org/en/news/detail/albrecht-carrie-wins-lake-placid-ac-4-man and https://behindthesceneswith.podbean.com/e/behind-the-scenes-with-travis-armbruster/
https://www.nbcolympics.com/videos/kaillie-humphries-gets-first-win-becoming-us-citizen
https://www.ibsf.org/en/news/detail/three-times-bobsleigh-olympic-champion-kaillie-humphries-welcomes-baby-aulden
https://www.espn.com.au/olympics/story/_/id/33201747/olympics-2022-fourth-games-bobsledder-kaillie-humphries-new-country-new-mission
https://www.facebook.com/bobsledkaillie/photos/my-tattoos-remind-me-of-who-i-am-when-i-start-to-feel-my-identity-getting-blurre/2100265770257492/
https://www.ksby.com/news/meet-athletes-kaillie-humphries-bobsled-team-usa
https://www.kxan.com/news/bobsled-gold-medalist-kaillie-humphries-has-tattoos-with-meaning/
https://www.nbcolympics.com/videos/bobsledder-kaillie-humphries-talks-significance-tattoos