Kaillie Humphries has spent 23 years zooming down icy tracks in bobsleds, but this past weekend brought something entirely new for the three-time Olympic gold medalist. She competed on the World Cup circuit in Altenberg, Germany, for the first time since becoming a mom. Humphries welcomed her first child, a son named Aulden, on June 14.
This journey to motherhood wasn’t easy. Humphries and her husband, Travis Armbruster, have been open about their struggles with infertility, sharing how they went through a year-long IVF process. During the 2022-23 season, Humphries even continued competing while on medication. When Aulden finally arrived, Humphries called the experience “the hardest but most rewarding thing” she’s ever done. “I’m so in love,” she wrote when announcing his birth.
After taking maternity leave for the 2023-24 season, Humphries returned to kick off the new World Cup campaign in Altenberg, one of the toughest tracks in the world. She placed seventh in the monobob race on Saturday and fifth in the two-woman event on Sunday, teaming up with Jasmine Jones, who’s also a mom. It’s a solid start for Humphries, who has previously won three world championships at Altenberg.
“It’s a good starting point,” she said. “My driving feels world-class, and I know I can work my way back up. Now it’s about the physical side, and that’s going to take time—probably two years to fully bounce back after having a baby.”
That timeline takes her right up to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, where she hopes to compete in her fifth Games. If she qualifies, Humphries would set a record as the first female bobsledder to do so.
Rebuilding her strength has been a challenge. While she stayed active during pregnancy, her workouts were more about staying healthy for herself and the baby, not for peak athletic performance. Returning to competition has been like learning to walk all over again. In her first race on Saturday, Humphries felt her hamstring tighten during the push start, a vital part of bobsledding. “Running is one of the hardest things postpartum,” she admitted. “I feel like a baby giraffe.”
Even with slower start times—she ranked 19th out of 23 in the push—her expert driving skills helped her finish in seventh place overall. On Sunday, she and Jones converted mid-pack starts into sixth- and third-fastest total run times, the best among U.S. teams.
Her comeback isn’t just about her. Aulden was there to watch his mom compete, cheering from the sidelines. “My favorite thing is his smile,” Humphries gushed. “Every time I look at him, I just think he’s the cutest baby in the entire world. I feel so blessed.”
The whole family is traveling together for the World Cup season. Armbruster has put his own career on hold to support Humphries’ Olympic dream, a sacrifice she doesn’t take lightly. “Travis gave up his goals to let me chase mine,” she said, tearing up. “Now we get to do this together as a family.”
Humphries’ goal is clear: to represent Team USA at the 2026 Olympics. It would be a full-circle moment, as she was part of Canada’s bobsled team at the 2006 Turin Olympics in Italy, though she didn’t compete in the two-woman event. That experience pushed her to become a driver and take control of her future. Since then, she’s racked up an unmatched record: three Olympic golds and ten world championship medals.
Humphries and Armbruster hope to expand their family after the 2026 Games, but she hasn’t ruled out competing beyond then. Her influence is already shaping the sport—four of the other five North American drivers in Altenberg started as push athletes in her sled.
For now, Humphries is focused on enjoying the ride, both as an athlete and a mom. “I hope Aulden sees the passion, dedication, and love that goes into what I do,” she said. “I want him to meet amazing people, explore the world, and learn what it means to work hard for your dreams.”
The road to Milan-Cortina will be full of challenges, but Humphries is ready, taking it one baby step at a time.
