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≡ KATIE UHLAENDER APPEAL ≡
“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.”
Uhlaender appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Saturday, trying to obtain an added place in the women’s Skeleton event at the Milan Cortina Winter Games, following a maneuver by the Canadian team at the final North American Cup race in Lake Placid, New York on 11 January to reduce the number of Olympic ranking points available in order to help one of their athletes qualify for the Winter Games.
Uhlaender lost an appeal to the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation’s Interim Integrity Unit, but another appeal to the IBSF Appeals Tribunal was more successful in terms of a condemnation of the actions by the Canadians, but the Tribunal said it had no ability to change the outcome as concerned ranking points.
Per the CAS statement:
“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.”
But, on technical grounds, Uhaelder’s appeal was rejected:
“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.”
Uhlaender, a five-time Olympian, appears to have exhausted all appeals and will not race in Cortina. The IBSF for its part, has indicated it will look into future rules changes to keep such a situation from happening in the future.
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