Austin Florian is a world-class skeleton athlete representing the USA Bobsled and Skeleton Team. In the high-speed, headfirst Olympic sport of skeleton, Austin races down icy tracks at speeds reaching 90 mph—combining explosive athleticism with precision and fearlessness.
Born and raised in Southington, Connecticut, Austin was a multi-sport athlete, excelling in golf, lacrosse, and ski racing throughout high school. He continued ski racing at the collegiate level while attending Clarkson University, where he earned a degree in Engineering & Management.
This past winter marked Austin’s seventh full season on the IBSF World Cup circuit—and his most successful to date. Highlights include a 5th-place finish in St. Moritz, three podium finishes in the mixed team event (now an official Olympic discipline), and a career-best 6th-place finish in the individual event at the World Championships in Lake Placid.
Capping off the season, Austin and teammate Mystique Ro claimed the World Championship title in the mixed team event, becoming World Champions on home ice. Austin also delivered the fastest starts of his career, ranking consistently among the top three push athletes in the world and achieving the #1 start time in all five heats at the World Championships.
With momentum building, Austin is charging full-speed toward his goal of representing Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Skeleton is one of the most thrilling and dangerous winter sports, where athletes race headfirst down an icy track on a small sled, reaching speeds of over 80 mph. Originating in the late 19th century, it became an official Olympic sport in 2002. Unlike luge or bobsled, skeleton requires athletes to steer with subtle body movements while lying just inches above the ice, demanding immense skill, precision, and courage.
• Insane G-forces: Athletes experience up to 5 Gs in tight turns—similar to fighter pilots.
• Blink and You Miss It: A race typically lasts under a minute, with victory often decided by hundredths of a second.
• No Brakes: There are no brakes on a skeleton sled—athletes must rely on friction and uphill track sections to stop.
• Headfirst at 80+ mph: This makes skeleton one of the fastest and most dangerous Olympic sports.
• One Mistake, No Mercy: A slight miscalculation can send an athlete into the track walls at terrifying speeds.
