Winter Olympics 2026: Ashley Farquharson rallies for bronze to second-ever U.S. medal in women's luge

Ashley Farquharson made U.S. Olympic history on Tuesday with a bronze medal run to secure the nation's second medal ever in women's luge.

She needed a dramatic comeback to make it happen. 

Farquharson entered Tuesday's competition in fifth pace after two of four runs on Monday in an event where the times of all four runs are combined to determine the standings. 

Germany's Julia Taubitz and Merle Malou Fräbel were in control in first and second place as the country sought its eighth straight gold medal and fourth consecutive gold-silver finish in the event. But Fräbel had a rocky run on third run Tuesday and dropped into eighth place, opening the door for other competitors to move onto the podium. 

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Farquharson and Latvia's Elina Bota took advantage. Bota moved into silver medal position with her third run, and Farquharson jumped from fifth place to third with her third run of the event. 

Farquharson entered her fourth and final run with a chance to secure her place in the podium. When she crossed the finish line with a clean run and a time of 52.909, she knew that she'd secured a place on the podium ahead of Italy's Verena Hofer, who finished in fourth place. 

Bota held on for silver, while Taubitz earned Germany's eighth straight gold medal in the event.

Farquharson, meanwhile, was elated as she joined Erin Hamlin (bronze, Sochi 2014) as the only U.S. women to medal in the history of the event.