Meet Shannon Galea, Malta’s First Skeleton Racer Chasing Olympic History
As the world races towards the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina, one athlete is quietly carving out a new path for Malta on the icy world stage—Shannon Galea, is on the brink of making history in a sport that couldn’t be further from the island’s sun-drenched shores: Skeleton.
From Softball to Skeleton: Who is Shannon Galea?
Born to a Maltese father and a Canadian mother, Shannon Galea grew up surrounded by sport. She played professional softball in 6 different nations amongst various Canadian national titles and European Cup titles while supporting the development of the sport within Malta. She also competed in collegiate level squash, rowing and track and field, later coaching and teaching physical education. This also makes Shannon the first female athlete to compete in both Summer and Winter European Championships for Team Malta. Her journey to sliding sports came later in life, but with full force. Drawn to the adrenaline and discipline of skeleton, a head-first, high-speed Olympic winter sport that sends athletes hurtling down icy tracks at over *130 km/h*, Shannon found her calling.
Malta in Her Blood: How It All Began
As the Galea name suggests, Shannon’s Maltese descent comes through her father’s side. Growing up in Canada, she recalls that her father and 3 uncles reminisced about nearly representing Malta in bobsleigh at the 1988 Winter Olympics -having been approached by the Maltese government of the day to do so. In 2020, Shannon took the bold step of turning the family tale, into reality.
She co-founded the Malta Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, working closely with the Malta Olympic Committee to gain official recognition from the international governing body, the IBSF. By late 2020, Malta was officially on the international sliding map, and Shannon became its first competitive athlete.
A Groundbreaking Journey
Shannon’s rise hasn’t gone unnoticed. In January 2021, she debuted for Malta at the North American Cup in Lake Placid, finishing 8th in her first-ever skeleton race. A year later, she made headlines again as the first Maltese athlete to compete at the European Skeleton Championships, racing down the historic track in St. Moritz.
In the 2023 season, she earned Malta’s first-ever podium in an international sliding event—finishing third overall in the North American Cup circuit. That season saw her climb to #39 in the world rankings, cementing her status not just as a pioneer, but also gaining a World Cup quota spot. Last season Shannon battled through competitions in the USA, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, and Latvia.
While most countries have decades of infrastructure and state support, Shannon is doing it the hard way: racing part-time, self-funding much of her journey, sacrificing Christmases and family events and carrying the flag of a country better known for sailing than sledding.
The Road to the Olympics: February 2026
The next goal is clear: qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
Between November 2025 and January 2026, Shannon will represent Malta in another series of international World Cup events to determine whether she will fly the flag at the Winter Olympic Games. It is a heart-stopping, high speed journey for Shannon as she twists and turns towards the ultimate dream.
Shannon must finish the 2025–26 season ranked in the top 55 globally, earning a ‘quota’ spot through the international qualification system. It’s within reach, but only with consistent racing, coaching, equipment, and financial backing. That means travelling across continents, booking training at elite tracks, and competing against athletes backed by winter-sport powerhouses.
And while February 2026 feels so close, it can sometimes feel excruciatingly far, especially without the resources needed to sustain a full racing season. So, it’s fair to say that Shannon Galea isn’t just sliding down icy tracks, she’s climbing uphill against the odds, representing a warm island in a cold sport. In so doing, she’s not only chasing her own dream, she’s laying the groundwork for a generation of Maltese athletes to follow.
Become a named sponsor and stand a chance to attend the Olympic Winter Games as a spectator (Terms & Conditions apply. For more information, contact: Sarah Krebs, Malta Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation, Secretary General at maltabsf@gmail.com).
