Bree Walker has claimed Australia’s first winter sports World Cup medal of 2025 with a bronze medal in a record-breaking monobob event in Winterberg, Germany.
Saturday's podium finish is the second straight for Walker, and the ninth World Cup medal of her career.
Walker finished the first run in third place with a time of 58.67 seconds, and went faster in the second run - momentarily holding the track record in a time of 58.44 seconds - giving her a two-run combined time of 1:57.11 seconds.
The final two athletes also broke the track record, with Melanie Hasler of Switzerland finishing second in a total time of 1:56.92 and German Lisa Buckwitz taking the gold medal on 1:56.83 - 0.28 seconds ahead of Walker.
“I’m super happy with the result here in Winterberg, I love sliding here, it’s actually my first podium here since the 2022 Olympic season,” said the 32-year-old Queenslander.
“Really happy with my drives today, the first corner is cut a little bit differently this year so it makes it tricky and slipped me up a little bit.
"But I can’t be happier, my pushing is coming along really nicely and my drives were solid, so all-in-all a good day.
“The track was in good condition, and it’s really cold here, so that is perfect conditions for track records to be broken.
"It makes for fun racing when you know the record is being broken again-and-again, you know you’re up for a fast run.
“I’m looking forward to my first World Cup two-woman event of the season tomorrow with Kiara Reddingius in our new sled.”
Also in action for Australia was Sarah Blizzard in 22nd place.
After three World Cup monobob events this season, Walker is ranked third on the standings on 584 points, trailing German duo Lisa Buckwitz (660) and Laura Nolte (619).
