Freya Tarbit’s journey from the athletics track to the icy skeleton track is a remarkable story of speed, resilience, and determination. Born in Ockbrook, Derbyshire, the 25-year-old athlete is poised to make her Winter Olympic debut at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Games as part of Team GB’s skeleton squad.
Tarbit’s early athletic career was rooted in long jump and sprinting, where she excelled by winning multiple county titles representing Derbyshire. This strong foundation in explosive power and speed perfectly equipped her for the challenges of skeleton — a sport where a powerful push start is crucial.
Her path to skeleton success wasn’t straightforward. Though captivated by the sport at only 14, a hamstring injury delayed her introduction to the ice until she joined the “Discover Your Gold” talent ID programme a year later. Out of 3,000 hopefuls, Tarbit was one of just six chosen, proving her early promise.
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Her tenacity shone brightly at the 2023 Junior World Championships in Winterberg. Despite a painful hamstring injury during her very first run, Tarbit pushed through the agony and secured a bronze medal. This performance marked a historic moment as she and teammate Tabby Stoecker became the first British women to share a Junior World podium in skeleton.
Tarbit’s breakthrough on the senior circuit came swiftly. In only her 11th World Cup race, she stunned the competition in PyeongChang by winning gold, finishing nearly a second ahead of the reigning Olympic champion. Training consistently at the University of Bath’s world-class Sports Training Village—including using Britain’s only push-track—Tarbit has honed her starts and maintained elite form.
Entering the 2026 Winter Games, Tarbit boasts three top-six World Cup finishes in Winterberg, Lillehammer, and Sigulda. With a top speed exceeding 78 mph and ambitions to break 80 mph, this former Friesland Sixth Form student is ready to demonstrate that Derbyshire talent transcends the track, proving that fast feet can also conquer ice.