Helen Upperton is a celebrated Canadian bobsledder whose career has made significant contributions to the sport. Born on October 31, 1979, in Al Ahmadi, Kuwait, her parents’ work in the oil industry meant a childhood spent traveling, which ultimately shaped her dual citizenship in both Great Britain and Canada. Upperton transitioned from a promising career as a triple jumper at the University of Texas at Austin to bobsledding in 2002, where she quickly found her footing in the sport.

Upperton’s athletic prowess shone brightly at the Winter Olympics, where she earned a silver medal in the two-woman event in 2010 alongside teammate Shelley-Ann Brown. This achievement came after a commendable fourth-place finish in the same event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. Her success at the 2010 Games marked a historic moment, as it was the first time two Canadian teams won medals in the same bobsleigh event during the Olympics.

Throughout her career, Upperton demonstrated exceptional skill on the World Cup circuit, securing four medals in the 2005–06 season, including Canada’s first gold in women’s bobsleigh at St. Moritz. Over her career, she notched six wins and more than 20 podium finishes, solidifying her reputation in the sport.

After retiring in 2012, Upperton transitioned into coaching and commentary. She became the manager of community relations for WinSport Canada and later served as head coach of their bobsleigh program, nurturing the next generation of athletes. Her contributions to bobsleigh extend beyond her competitive achievements, inspiring many in the sport today.