Helen Upperton
Bobsleigh Athlete- Inducted 2023
Helen was a dedicated and influential force in the sport of bobsleigh in Canada helping elevate the women’s program to the status of international powerhouse. Over the course of her 11-year career as a bobsleigh pilot, her team shattered numerous international start and track records en route to winning over 25 World Cup medals including Canada’s first ever World Cup gold in Women’s Bobsleigh in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
After a close 4th place finish at the 2006 Olympics, Helen was determined to reach the podium in Vancouver. She put everything she had into her sport with the utmost dedication to her team. She was determined not to let her partner or her sport down as she competed through injuries to ensure they secured a spot at the 2010 Olympic Games in Canada. Upperton took advantage of the 4 years between Olympics to source a new, faster sled from Monaco and learn all she could from their coach as she learned the ins and outs of what would prove to be her ticket to an Olympic silver medal in 2010.
Helen encompassed every characteristic required to make an Olympian with extraordinary determination, commitment, passion and a winning mindset in everything from training, to sled preparation and competition. She retired from competition following the 2012 season but continues to be involved as a coach, a mentor, and an award-winning broadcaster.
