Kaysha Love is stepping into the spotlight at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, embracing her role as a driver in the monobob and two-person bobsled events. This marks a significant transformation for Love, who previously served as the brakeman for veteran Olympian Kallie Humphries during the Beijing 2022 Olympics, where they narrowly missed the podium with a seventh-place finish.
Reflecting on that experience, the 28-year-old from Herriman said, “We definitely did our job at the start to set ourselves up for the best outcome possible,” but acknowledged the difficulty of accepting their final result. This experience has fueled her desire to take the reins in her bobsled career, both on the track and as a leader trying to foster a positive team culture within USA Bobsled.
Love has taken significant steps to build a supportive environment by bringing her fiancé, Hunter Powell, and longtime friend Azaria Hill into her bobsled team. Hill, who boasts an impressive sports background with a mother who is a two-time Olympic medalist and a father who won boxing silver in 1984, transitioned to bobsledding after her track career ended. Love’s decision to invite Hill to participate in a bobsled camp has proven beneficial as the two compete together.
In addition to her dedication to bobsledding, Love has worked to draw in Powell, once resistant to the sport, who is now excited to join her on this Olympic journey. “I’m so thankful that she did, as it’s the coolest thing in the world… chasing the dream with the woman I love and my best friend,” Powell shared. Powell will compete in the four-man event alongside pilot Kris Horn, aiming for a successful run despite past mishaps during races.
The couple’s relationship has evoked comparisons to another notable Olympic duo, Hunter Woodhall and Tara Davis-Woodhall, both of whom have Utah ties. Love expressed joy at this recognition and is passionate about promoting a spirited atmosphere within the USA Bobsled team, incorporating fun elements like sledding with celebrities to cultivate camaraderie.
Love’s experiences in Beijing challenged her perspectives on team culture, leading her to advocate for improvements within the organization. “I think that there was a lot of great things, but there were also many things that needed improvement,” she said, emphasizing the importance of unity among staff and athletes.
As she enters her competition, Love feels prepared and optimistic about the potential outcomes. Her commitment to excellence has her set on capturing gold medals, given her status as the reigning world champion in monobob. “If we do that, I know that we have the power to be able to come home with not one but two gold medals,” she said confidently.
With her determination and vision for a reformed team culture, Love represents a fresh hope for USA Bobsled as they gear up for a promising Olympic performance.