In a nation synonymous with blistering sunshine and world-class summer sports, the idea of a South African athlete hurtling head-first down a frozen canal at 130 km/h once seemed like a distant dream. But for Nicole Burger, that dream recently became a historic reality.
As the first South African woman to qualify for and compete in the Winter Olympics in skeleton, Burger didn’t just slide for a result; she transformed from a multi-sport athlete into a national pioneer. Her journey to the Milano Cortina 2026 Games was a loud declaration that South African excellence knows no climate.
From the Pitch to the Piste
Burger’s path to the ice was anything but linear. A former Rugby Sevens player and competitive equestrian, she traded the grass of the pitch for the razor-sharp precision of the skeleton sled.
“The key elements that drew me to skeleton were the sprint start and the adrenaline of the speed,” Burger noted. Her rugby background provided the explosive power and “get back up” mentality essential for surviving high-speed collisions with ice walls. Meanwhile, her years in showjumping gifted her with the spatial awareness and visualization skills needed to navigate a track’s “fast lines” while under 5G of pressure.
Resilience Amidst the Frost
The road to the Olympic stage was marked by significant personal hurdles, most notably the loss of her father during her debut season. “Knowing my dad wasn’t there—I couldn’t call him when something went wrong,” she reflected. “But his voice stayed with me. He always used to say, ‘Have fun and the results will come.’ That became my mindset.”
That “fun over pressure” philosophy was tested on the world’s biggest stage. Operating as a “small nation” athlete, Burger often had to maximize her ice time by racing nearly every week just to save on training costs. Yet, when she arrived in Italy, the struggle shifted to pure celebration.
The Electric Glow of Cortina
The pinnacle of the experience for Burger wasn’t just the competition, but the moment she stepped out as the nation’s flagbearer.
“The honor and privilege to carry the flag and represent the country… the atmosphere of the crowd lining the streets in Cortina chanting ‘South Africa’ as we went by was electric!” Burger recalled. “I think before we stepped out I was more nervous for that than anything else. The adrenaline was pumping and my hands were sweating! I will forever be honored to have carried that flag.”
Testing the Olympic Ice
When it came time to slide, the Milano Cortina track proved to be a formidable opponent. Known for its technicality—especially the first five corners—the track saw even the world’s best struggling to avoid skids or wall strikes.
“I was only one of two athletes who had never been to this track before,” Burger explained. “Having only ten training runs before the race, I was trying to play catch-up against the world’s best. The biggest difference from the World Cup is the sheer scale—the support, the spectators, the TV crews. It shines a completely new light on the sport.”
Despite the technical challenges, Burger remained anchored by her father’s advice. “I listened to his words and enjoyed every moment, even when it was frustrating. I would just say: ‘Relax, enjoy this moment!'”
The Road to 2030: Full Circle
With her first Games concluded, Burger is already looking toward the horizon. Her immediate sights are set on the 2027 World Championships in Lillehammer, Norway, but the ultimate goal lies further ahead.
“The 2030 Games are at the La Plagne track in the French Alps,” she revealed. “That was the track where I first ever touched and slid on a skeleton sled. It would be a lovely goal to get there and almost finish where it all started.”
As she looks to the future, Burger hopes her success acts as a catalyst for winter sports back home. “Hopefully SASCOC can capitalize on having our biggest-ever Winter Olympic squad. We need to keep driving forward and supporting self-funded winter athletes to ensure South Africa maintains its presence on the global circuit.”
For Nicole Burger, the ice is no longer a foreign territory—it is a stage where the Rainbow Nation officially belongs.
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Nicole Burger: South Africa’s Skeleton Pioneer Making History on the Ice
