Jamaica's fisherman becomes new bobsled pilot at the Winter Olympics

Shane Pitter, a 26-year-old fisherman who makes fishing videos, is competing as Jamaica's bobsled pilot at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina and is part of a young, developing team. The team remains short on funding and was 23rd of 26 after the first two heats in the two-man event, which concludes on Tuesday.

Shane Pitter, 26, has traded warm Jamaican waters for an icy start at the Milan-Cortina Games as Jamaica's newest bobsled pilot. His background is in fishing and creating fishing videos, and he is competing alongside younger teammates as part of a developing program. The Jamaican bobsled presence at these Games continues a run that began in 1988. Funding and experience remain central themes for the team. Key details: - Shane Pitter is a 26-year-old fisherman who also makes fishing videos and is serving as Jamaica's bobsled pilot at the 2026 Winter Olympics. - Pitter and brakeman Junior Harris were 23rd out of 26 sleds after the first two heats of the two-man race; that event is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday. - These Games mark Jamaica's ninth Olympic appearance in bobsled since the team's debut in 1988. - Mica Moore was 15th entering the final two heats of the women's monobob, and she said she spent more than 40,000 pounds to fund her Olympic season. - Pitter won 10 medals this season on the North American Cup circuit, including eight golds at Lake Placid, and has been described by Jamaica bobsled officials as a promising young pilot. Summary: Olympic medals remain a long-term goal for Jamaica's developing bobsled team, and funding continues to be a significant challenge for athletes. The two-man competition will finish on Tuesday, and Pitter plans to resume fishing after the sliding season while keeping the 2030 Olympics in mind.