Olympic Bobsled Hopeful From Wyckoff Looks To Finance Her Dream

WYCKOFF, NJ — "America doesn't get athletes to the Olympics... Americans do," Team USA Development Bobsled Pilot Lauren Brzozowski, of Wyckoff, said.

Olympic hopeful Brzozowski, who pilots the bobsled as it races down the ice going 80-90 mph, is a decorated athlete, placing second at the Bobsled Pilot National Push Championships earlier this year and beating two out of three returning Olympians. She is now fighting for a chance to represent the U.S. in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

But, Brzozowski said, bobsled is an expensive sport, and athletes often need to leverage different avenues in order to cover expenses for equipment and training, among other things. Just last week, she spent $2,000 on lodging, $2,100 on sled storage, and $600 for travel.

In view of this, Brzozowski is raising funds to support her as she trains to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic Bobsled Team in 2026, according to a GoFundMe page she organized.

In order to qualify for and receive funding support from Team USA, she needs to make the National Team as a pilot. To do this she must compete in five, two-woman (pilot and brakeman) races that involve at least three tracks and take place within two years — the "5-3-2 rule."

She intends to compete in Canada, New York, Utah and, hopefully, Germany, if she can afford it. She is short one track, and two races, which is why, as of Wednesday, she is at the fastest bobsled track in the world, Whistler, for her first competition of the season.

"I love this sport and love representing my country nationally," Brzozowski said. "I am fundraising because I know I can do great things out on the ice. I want to get a medal and inspire others to chase their dreams. If I can do that, I know I will be able to leave the sport better than how I found it."

"But I can't get there without financial backing," she added.