Freya Tarbit’s journey from an athletics standout to one of the fastest women on ice is nothing short of inspiring. Born in Ockbrook, Derbyshire, Tarbit spent her early years excelling as a long jumper and sprinter, capturing multiple county titles and competing at a high level in athletics. Her explosive speed and power on the track laid the perfect foundation for her transition to skeleton racing — a sport where the crucial “push-start” can make all the difference.
Tarbit’s introduction to skeleton began at age 14, but a hamstring injury delayed her debut on ice. Undeterred, she reapplied a year later and emerged as one of just six athletes selected from over 3,000 applicants for the “Discover Your Gold” talent ID programme. Since then, her determination and grit have propelled her into Britain’s skeleton elite.
Her resilience was on full display at the 2023 Junior World Championships in Winterberg. Despite re-injuring her hamstring mid-run and enduring severe pain, Tarbit refused to withdraw. She pressed on, securing a bronze medal — part of a historic moment when two British women, including teammate Tabby Stoecker, shared the Junior World podium.
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The 2024/25 season marked Tarbit’s breakthrough on the senior circuit. Competing in just her 11th World Cup race, she won gold in PyeongChang, outpacing the reigning Olympic champion by nearly a full second. Now a key member of Team GB, Tarbit trains at the University of Bath’s Sports Training Village, where she uses the UK’s only push-track to finesse her explosive starts.
Heading into the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Tarbit is in peak form, boasting three top-six World Cup finishes in Winterberg, Lillehammer, and Sigulda during the 2025/26 season. With a top speed exceeding 78 mph and aiming to surpass 80 mph on Italian ice, she is poised to make her mark on the global stage and prove that Derbyshire produces world-class athletes across sports.