Kylie Reed

Kylie Reed
Personal information
NationalityAustralian
Born (1974-12-17) 17 December 1974
Perth, Western Australia
Sport
Sport

Kylie Reed (born 17 December 1974) is an Australian former bobsledder and track and field athlete.

She placed third in the 1996–97 Australian Athletics Championships for long jump, and first in the 1999–2000 Australian Athletics Championships, earning the title in long jump with a distance of 6.57m. She also participated in the 100 metres and 200 metres events in the 2000–2001 season.

Reed was recruited to the Australian women's bobsleigh team by Will Alstergren after failing to qualify for the 2000 Sydney Olympics in athletics. As a bobsledder, Reed worked as a brake-woman with pilot Astrid Loch-Wilkinson from 2003 to 2006, earning the first top twenty placement in the World Cup for the women's team on 10 December 2004. She and Loch-Wilkinson earned the first medal for the women's team with a silver in the Europa Cup on 27 November 2005, and they were the first women's bobsleigh team to qualify for the Olympics for Australia, where they placed 14th.

Reed retired from bobsleigh in 2006.

Early life

Reed was born in Perth on 17 December 1974.[1] As a youth, she was a member of the Little Athletics program at the Bayswater Centre.[2]

Athletics

Kylie Reed
Sport
SportTrack and field
Event
Long jump
Achievements and titles
National finals
3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 1996–97 Australian Athletics Championships

1st place, gold medalist(s) 1999–2000 Australian Athletics Championships

Personal best
  • Long jump: 6.57m (27 February 2000)

1996-1997 season

Reed competed in the 1996–97 Australian Athletics Championships, reaching a distance of 6.41m in the long jump in January 1997, beating Olympic finalist Chantal Brunner's 6.39m to finish first.[3] In February 1997 she placed third with a distance of 6.1m, behind Kym Burns' 6.4m and Nicole Boegman's 6.24m.[4] In the finals, Reed finished third with 6.23m, behind Brunner's 6.68m and Vicky Piggin's 6.28m.[5][6]

1999-2000 season

Alongside other West Australian athletes, Reed ran a handicap 100m in January 2000 to raise funds in order to travel to eastern Australia for the Grand Prix Olympic-qualifying matches.[7] In the Olympic B 100m qualifier, she came in fourth with a time of 11.88.[8] In the long jump, she came in first with 6.40m,[9] beating Brunner's 6.35m and Kerrie Perkins' 5.84m.[8]

Reed qualified second in the long jump with a distance of 6.02m at Stadium Australia before officials agreed to lower the infield on the day of a threatened sit-in.[10] She set her best record to date with a distance of 6.57m on 27 February,[11] which won her the 1999-2000 Australian national title[12] and exceeded the Olympic B standard.[13]

On 13 March, she and other Australian athletes competed in an Olympic-qualifying event in Johannesburg.[12] Reed won the long jump with a distance of 6.43m.[14]

2000-2001 season

Following the nationals, she had injured her ankle, but she still competed at Perry Lakes Stadium on 27 May running the 100m in 11.95 seconds and the 200m in 24.24.[13]

In July 2000, Reed placed second in the long jump with a distance of 6.35m to Bronwyn Thompson's 6.41m.[15]

Though Reed did not meet the Olympic A qualifier by the deadline in August 2000, she was still favored to be included on the team by the West Australian Institute of Sport.[16] Her day two distance put her in 9th place among the contenders with 5.61m.[17] Ultimately, she was not selected, after having stepped over the edge of the take-off area twice, and on her third jump only reaching 5.49m.[18]

By November, Reed joined other West Australia athletes in leaving the area for Melbourne while the Ministry for Sport and the Town of Cambridge disagreed over how to replace Perry Lakes Stadium.[19] In 2001, she was one of 229 athletes nominated to receive the 2000 West Australian ANZ Sports Star of the Year award,[20] which was ultimately presented to Rechelle Hawkes.[21]

Bobsleigh

Kylie Reed
Personal information
Height179 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight63 kg (139 lb)
Sport
SportBobsleigh
Event
Two-woman bob
Coached byWill Alstergren
Retired2006
Achievements and titles
Personal best58.53 seconds (2006 Winter Olympics: Heat 1)
Medal record
Two-Women's Bobsleigh
 Australia
2005-2006 Europa Cup
Silver medal – second placeIgls – 27 November

Reed joined Australia's first women's bobsleigh team, chosen by coach Will Alstergren for her previous records in both sprinting and long jump events, alongside professional runner Lara Gambino and star basketball player Danielle Lynch.[22] Outside of her time on the bobsleigh team, Reed worked as a banker.[23]

2003–2004 season

She served as brake-woman for Astrid Loch-Wilkinson, competing in the 2003–2004 Europa Cup where they finished 9th in the opening event.[24]

Though they qualified for the 2003–2004 Bobsleigh World Cup with their 14-year-old sled, the meet in Königssee was cancelled, and the team was disqualified from the World Championships due to concerns over injury following a crash in one of the heats where the driver sustained a concussion.[25]

2004–2005 season

Reed and pilot Loch-Wilkinson secured 5th place at the opening 2004-2005 Europa Cup race in Igls.[26] They finished 4th at Königssee in December 2004.[27]

In their fourth official race, the pair secured Australia's first top 20 World Cup finish while competing in the World Cup[28] on 10 December 2004 with a time of 1:50.11.[29][a]

2005–2006 season

In order to afford to compete in the season, Reed and Loch-Wilkinson sold their personal vehicles and overdrew on their credit cards.[30]

Europa Cup

On 27 November, the pair finished the opening competition of the Europa Cup at Igls in second place with a time of 1:50.96, securing the first medal for Australia's women's bobsleigh team.[31]

World Cup

In the first competition run of the 2005-2006 World Cup at Calgary on 10 November 2005, Reed and Loch-Wilkinson were ranked 19th[32] with a time of 1:56.04.[33] On 18 November at Lake Placid, the pair finished 19th with a time of 1:58.81.[34][b] On 9 December at Igls, they placed 18th[36] with a time of 1:51.27.[37][c] At Cortina d'Ampezzo on 16 December the pair placed 18th with a time of 1:52.18.[38]

On 13 January 2006, Reed and Loch-Wilkinson became the first Australian women's bobsleigh Olympic-qualified team with their adjusted ranking of 15th at Königssee.[39] Before adjustment, they had ranked 17th with a time of 1:44.49.[40] Prior to the race, the Australian sled had been disqualified for being too old, but the team was able to borrow one from the French in order to compete.[41]

On 20 January, Reed and Loch-Wilkinson placed 14th with a time of 2:20.02 at St. Moritz.[30][42]

2006 Winter Olympics

Just prior to the start of the 2006 Winter Olympics, while Reed was training in Germany, her father died.[43] Additionally, she had contracted the flu, but with Loch-Wilkinson still managed to set personal best times in the push starts at Cesana Pariol.[44]

Reed's position as brake-woman was subject to appeal,[45] something Danielle Lynch attempted but withdrew on 1 February.[46] Reed and Loch-Wilkinson were considered the most improved women's bobsleigh team in Europe.[47]

Reed and Loch-Wilkinson finished 14th with a time of 3:55.11,[48][d] with a personal best time in the first heat of 58.53.[49] Afterwards, Reed retired from the sport,[50] citing the $16,000 needed annually to fund her participation on the team.[51]

#TheLastOlympics

In 2024, Reed served as a spokeswoman for the Ukrainian World Congress' #TheLastOlympics campaign, emphasizing in her statements the possibility for the 2024 Paris Olympics to be the last prior to a potential World War, and noting the rise in authoritarian governments.[52]

Notes

  1. ↑ The official standings list the location as Nagano, not Igls. See.[29]
  2. ↑ The same time and rank are recorded for the Intercontinental Cup taking place on the same date at the same location.[35]
  3. ↑ The official standings list the location as Nagano, not Igls. See.[37]
  4. ↑ The official standings on the IBSF website state that the competition took place at Cesana Pariol, which was the location used for bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton.

References

  1. ↑ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Kylie Reed Olympic Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  2. ↑ "Honour Roll – Olympic Games" (PDF). Little Athletics. September 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  3. ↑ "Kiwi sprinter finishes third in classy field". Waikato Times. 28 January 1997. p. 9. NewsBank 155777E1E2790320
  4. ↑ "Scoreboard". The Sydney Morning Herald. Vol. 166, no. 49, 757. 21 February 1997. p. 43. ISSN 0312-6315. ProQuest 2527414560
  5. ↑ "Triathlon". Taranaki Daily News. 3 March 1997. p. 12. NewsBank 155778057A609098
  6. ↑ "Sport: Athletics". The Sydney Morning Herald. Vol. 166. 2 March 1997. p. 54. ISSN 0312-6315. ProQuest 2527418590
  7. ↑ Duffield, Mark (15 January 2000). "Footy's fastest face sprint test". The West Australian. p. 111. NewsBank 194DD09EF4CBC328
  8. 1 2 "Women". The Canberra Times. 16 January 2000. p. 14. NewsBank 148A8BFC71547E88
  9. ↑ Stephan, Gene (17 January 2000). "Sprinters set hot pace in grand prix". The West Australian. p. 52. NewsBank 194DD0C7C69AB068
  10. ↑ Steele, Selina (26 February 2000). "Athletes win infield battle". Herald Sun. p. 33. NewsBank 0FCE88D55CBDE166
  11. ↑ Steele, Selina (28 February 2000). "OPTUS GRAND PRIX - Burgess vaults past favorites". The Advertiser (Adelaide). p. 43. NewsBank 0FC25EC524575EC6
  12. 1 2 Stephan, Gene (11 March 2000). "Games jump hopefuls on high". The West Australian. p. 106. NewsBank 194DD050A2078470
  13. 1 2 Stephan, Gene (29 May 2000). "Reed moves closer to Olympic standard". The West Australian. p. 57. NewsBank 194DD1FC3B1127A0
  14. ↑ Malone, Paul (15 March 2000). "Olympic Countdown — 184 days to go – Put on the map". The Advertiser (Adelaide). p. 119. NewsBank 0FC25EE215D0D8D7
  15. ↑ "Sport: Scoreboard". The Age. Vol. 146, no. 44, 374. 10 July 2000. p. 10. ProQuest 2521764599
  16. ↑ Stephan, Gene (17 August 2000). "WA athletes strive for selection". The West Australian. p. 64. NewsBank 194DD80EE0FB3108
  17. ↑ "Scoreboard". The Sydney Morning Herald. Vol. 169, no. 50, 866. 19 August 2000. p. 92. ProQuest 2788382081
  18. ↑ Stephan, Gene (19 August 2000). "Second does it for Andrews". The West Australian. p. 104. NewsBank 194DD8374D2668C8
  19. ↑ Hughes, Dave (27 November 2000). "Making tracks out of town". The West Australian. p. 54. NewsBank 194DD8F3C3376CE0
  20. ↑ Marsh, David (9 January 2001). "Former winners are back in the running". The West Australian. p. 49. NewsBank 194DC5DA3249F278
  21. ↑ Marsh, David (2 February 2001). "Hawkes is top sports star". The West Australian. p. 60. NewsBank 194DC581EC682A00
  22. ↑ Michie, Roseanne (20 June 2004). "Sleigh girls train in cold comfort". Herald Sun. p. 80. NewsBank 10351800DB4223B5
  23. ↑ Harris, Terek (9 February 2006). "Thrillseekers ditch day jobs for Olympic ice roller-coaster". Agence France-Presse. NewsBank 10FB1CF243BFA7E0
  24. ↑ "Bobsleigh: Record entry by Australian bobsledders". Winter Sports. Olympic Winter Institute of Australia. 3 December 2003. Retrieved 3 March 2026 – via Trove.
  25. ↑ McGrath, Katrina (1 March 2004). "Slippery slope to glory". Leader - Caulfield Glen Eira / Port Phillip Leader. p. 1. NewsBank 1010A818D7A4D015
  26. ↑ "Record top five finish by women's bob duo". Australian Olympic Committee. 30 November 2004. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  27. ↑ "Women's bob duo delivers Australia's first medal". Winter Sports. Olympic Winter Institute of Australia. 26 November 2005. Retrieved 3 March 2026 – via Trove.
  28. ↑ "Hockey wins". The Canberra Times. 12 December 2004. p. 58. NewsBank 148A7EBE538AF1E8
  29. 1 2 "IBSF World Cup: Nagano – 10.12.2004 - 17:05 – 2-woman bobsleigh". International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  30. 1 2 Hudson, Fiona (1 February 2006). "I will make him proud". Herald Sun. p. 76. NewsBank 10F7E3624B613158
  31. ↑
  32. ↑ "Bobsleigh team in top 20". The Canberra Times. 12 November 2005. p. C-4. NewsBank 148A7C862D4B5640
  33. ↑ "IBSF World Cup: Calgary – 10.11.2005 - 17:00 – 2-woman bobsleigh". International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  34. ↑ "IBSF World Cup: Lake Placid – 18.11.2005 - 15:05 – 2-woman bobsleigh". International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  35. ↑ "Intercontinental Cup: Lake Placid – 18.11.2005 - 15:05 – 2-woman bobsleigh". International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  36. ↑ "Women bobbers race to season-best". Winter Sports. Olympic Winter Institute of Australia. 13 December 2005. Retrieved 3 March 2026 – via Trove.
  37. 1 2 "IBSF World Cup: Nagano – 09.12.2005 - 18:04 – 2-woman bobsleigh". International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  38. ↑
  39. ↑ Stanley, Arthur (15 January 2006). "Bobsleigh Aussies break ice". The Courier-Mail. NewsBank 10F241F1C20FFC10
  40. ↑
  41. ↑ Quinn, Ben (14 January 2006). "Sleighing them". Weekender. Newcastle Herald. p. 6. NewsBank 10F27E55CF0A1CE8
  42. ↑ "IBSF World Cup: St. Moritz – Celerina – 20.01.2006 - 14:17 – 2-woman bobsleigh". International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  43. ↑ Magnay, Jacquelin (20 February 2006). "Grieving Reed still keeping her focus". Sport Monday. The Sydney Morning Herald. Vol. 175, no. 52, 551. p. 13. Retrieved 2 March 2026. ProQuest 3294454707
  44. ↑ "Aussie pairing deep in debt to make it". Gold Coast Bulletin. 20 February 2006. p. 20. NewsBank 10FE7580C5466B08
  45. ↑ "Record number of Aussie athletes to compete". Gold Coast Bulletin. 26 January 2006. p. 76. NewsBank 10F6D75E185F1AF0
  46. ↑ Hughes, Dave (2 February 2006). "Measuring up". The West Australian. p. 51. NewsBank 194BFC0BD7446FA8
  47. ↑ "Olympic fever fuels bobsleigh star". Macarthur Chronicle. Campbelltown. 14 February 2006. p. 86. NewsBank 10FC7996F12F52E8
  48. ↑
  49. ↑
  50. ↑ "Coast runnings". Sunshine Coast Daily. 27 May 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  51. ↑ Cullen, Glenn (20 February 2006). "Sledders' cash woe - Sponsor needed to save team". Geelong Advertiser. p. 40. NewsBank 10FEC8BA9D9EB7C8
  52. ↑
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