By Danielle Davey
“Think you have what it takes to slide on ice at over 130km/h?” When Bobsleigh Skeleton Australia posed the question on social media as part of its national talent search, Dromana athlete Hayley Silvester answered with a resounding “Yes!”.
Less than two years later, she’s an integral member of the Australian Women’s Bobsleigh Team, serving as an alternate brakewoman at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in February.
With a background in competitive athletics and a thrill-seeker’s love of speed, Hayley has exactly what it takes to excel in the sport. As one of more than 50 participants at the 2024 recruitment camp, she was a stand-out among the female candidates, impressing national staff including pilot Sarah Blizzard with her natural athleticism across sprints, jumps, throws and lifts.
Shortly after the event, while other selected recruits attended a training camp in Calgary, Hayley was whisked away to Europe for one-on-one training development with Sarah. Reflecting on her rapid rise, Hayley said: “Two years ago, I’d never sat in a sled.”
Completing a double degree in primary and secondary education allows her the flexibility to simultaneously pursue her sporting dreams. Now, bolstered by the support of a 2025-26 scholarship from Northern Territory Sports Academy, she’s a professional bobsleigh athlete. Already she has competed internationally on the IBSF World Cup and Europe Cup circuits, gaining track experience at European tracks including Innsbruck, Winterberg and St. Moritz.
Hayley is part of Sarah’s bobsleigh crew, together with primary brakewoman Desi Johnson. The trio form a tight bond, living, training and travelling together year-round on the international circuit.
Trekking across Europe may sound glamorous, but there’s a great deal of work involved outside competitions. Lacking the generous sponsorship afforded to higher-ranking teams, the crew is without dedicated transport or a maintenance team. Travelling long distances between race venues in a van with their bobsleigh in the back, they share the driving. The task of bobsleigh maintenance – polishing and sanding the runners – is likewise undertaken by the three athletes.
Despite its challenges, their on-the-road lifestyle has brought the girls closer together; they have each other’s backs on and off the ice.
At the Winter Olympics, the camaraderie spread. Their crew formed a special connection with the Dutch cohort after lending their sled to the men’s team and helping them to a 10th-place finish. Showing incredible promise themselves, they narrowly missed the top-20 final run by just 0.02 seconds to finish in 21st position.
It’s full speed ahead for Hayley as she embarks on a new four-year Olympic cycle. Her schedule, already booked well into 2027, involves European training camps and international competition, including the IBSF Europe Cup and World Cup circuits. With increasing opportunities to take her place in the bobsleigh and hurtle down the track, this adrenalin-loving athlete is one to watch. To keep up with Hayley, visit her Insta page @hayleyjanesilvester
