Fresh off her victory in the 200 metres at the Jamaica National Championships, Ashanti Moore has been officially welcomed into the Jamaica Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (JBSF) — a move that signals a bold new chapter for both the athlete and the organisation as it gears up for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina.

Moore, known for her raw speed and power on the track, has emerged as a standout recruit for Jamaica’s bobsleigh programme. Her selection, according to JBSF President Chris Stokes, was no accident.

“Coach Todd Hays saw her last year at a development meet at the National Stadium in May,” Stokes explained. “We tracked her from there, especially after a couple of strong showings at GC Foster, which is also our training base. We were very impressed.”

The connection was made official after Moore’s agent, Cubie Seegobin, introduced her to the Federation following the 2023 National Championships. She was then invited to Lake Placid in August for what Stokes described as an “informal testing environment.”

It didn’t take long for Coach Hays, a former Olympic medallist and one of the most respected figures in the sport, to take notice.

“He liked her immediately,” Stokes said. “He believes she could be the best to ever play the game. She’s strong, powerful, and built for this. When she pushes the sled, it moves — fast.”

-Andre Grange photo

For her part, Moore is embracing the opportunity with humility and enthusiasm.

“I’m extremely happy and grateful,” she said in a brief interview after being officially introduced to the team during a cocktail event at the S Hotel in Kingston on Tuesday night. “It’s just a great feeling.”

Moore said the invitation came through Seegobin, and that her month-long training stint with the team was more than enough to win her over.

“I’ve been with the team for about a month now, and it’s been awesome,” she said. “I love learning the new techniques and just being around a different kind of competitive environment.”

Despite her recent success on the track — including a 22.60-second clocking in the 200m this season — Moore says she’s confident she can manage both disciplines.

“Bobsleigh has its season, and track and field has its season,” she explained. “So I just have to do what it takes and stay as focused as possible.”

The journey back to form has not been without setbacks. Earlier this year, Moore suffered an injury in February that threatened to derail her season.

“I was frustrated. I really thought my season was over,” she admitted. “But thanks to my coach, Mr. Wilson, I’ve bounced back, and I’m so grateful.”

Now, with one foot on the track and the other on the ice, Moore is blazing a path few Jamaican athletes have taken. And with the backing of the JBSF, led by a visionary in Stokes, and the confidence of Coach Hays, she may very well redefine what’s possible for women in Jamaican winter sport.

“She’s not just a great athlete,” said Stokes. “She’s the centrepiece of what we’re building going forward.”

As the Federation ramps up preparations for the next Winter Games, Moore’s dual-sport potential adds both firepower and credibility to a programme eager to make its mark once again on the global stage — this time, with a sprinter-turned-slider leading the charge.

-Main photo: Colin Reid