Having originally started his athlete career in track and field, Josip Brusić switched to skeleton and made his Winter Olympic debut earlier this year in Italy individually and in the Mixed Team event with Jane Channell for the Canadian Olympic skeleton team. Josip competed at the 2026 Canadian Championships, and he finished second overall in the IBSF North American Cup season, and won Gold at the Pan American Championships in November last year. Prior to turning senior, Josip competed at junior level including at the 2024 IBSF Junior World Championships. We chatted to Josip about representing Team Canada in skeleton, making his Winter Olympic debut earlier this year and finishing second overall in the IBSF North American Cup season.
How did you feel finding out you’d been selected for your first Winter Olympic Games, and how was it racing both individually and in the Mixed Team event with Jane Channell?
Finding out I had been selected for the Olympic Games was one of the most emotional moments of my life. As someone who moved to Canada from Croatia in 2014 and became a Canadian citizen in 2024, representing Canada at the Olympics meant a great deal to me and my family. The journey had many ups and downs, so hearing that I would be going to Milano Cortina was incredibly rewarding.
Competing in both the individual event and the inaugural Olympic Mixed Team event was a unique experience. Racing alongside Jane Channell was an honour. She has been a leader on our team for many years, and being part of the first-ever Olympic Mixed Team Skeleton event is something I will always remember.
What was it like being part of the Canadian Olympic skeleton team in Italy and staying in the athletes village?
It was amazing to be surrounded by the world’s best athletes. Walking through the village and seeing athletes from every sport and country really put into perspective how special the Olympic Games are. Team Canada created a great environment, and it was exciting to share the experience with teammates who had worked just as hard to get there.
How did you stay focused throughout the Olympics, and what have you learnt from your Olympic debut?
I focused on controlling what I could control. That meant sticking to my routine, trusting my preparation, and taking things one run at a time. The biggest lesson I learned was that the Olympics are still a competition at the end of the day. Once you get to the start line, it is the same job you have done hundreds of times before. I also learned the importance of embracing the moment while staying focused on performance.
How different did you find the Games compared to previous competitions?
The scale was much bigger than anything I had experienced before. There was more media attention, more spectators, and more excitement around every event. At the same time, once competition started, the focus remained the same. It was still about executing a strong push, driving a clean run, and performing under pressure.
What did you enjoy most about the 2026 Canadian Championships?
The Canadian Championships bring together the country’s best athletes in a highly competitive environment. I enjoy competing against teammates I train with throughout the year. It is always a great way to finish the season and reflect on how much progress has been made over the winter.
Can you tell us about the recent IBSF North American Cup season and finishing second overall?
The North American Cup season was an important step in my development. Consistently earning podium finishes showed that I was becoming more competitive at the international level. Finishing second overall in the standings gave me confidence that I was moving in the right direction and building a solid foundation for future World Cup racing.
What was it like winning Gold at the Pan American Championships in November last year?
Winning the Pan American Championships in Whistler was a special moment, especially on home ice. Having Ryan Kuehn and Zander Greco join me on the podium made it even more memorable. It highlighted the strength and depth of the Canadian programme and was a great day for our team.
What are some of your favourite memories from the 2024 IBSF Junior World Championships?
Competing at Junior Worlds was an important learning experience. The Mixed Team event with Hallie Clarke stands out because we came very close to a medal with our fourth-place finish. Racing against the best junior athletes in the world helped me understand the level required to succeed internationally.
What do you remember most from your first international competitions, and how have you changed as an athlete?
My first international races taught me how much there was to learn. I was focused on gaining experience and understanding different tracks. Since then, I have become more confident, more consistent, and much better at adapting to changing track conditions. I have also developed a stronger understanding of race preparation and performance under pressure.
What was it like switching from track and field to skeleton, and how did you get started?
The transition happened after one of my track coaches suggested I try skeleton because of my sprinting background. I attended a testing camp and immediately became interested in the sport. Coming from track and field gave me a strong foundation for the push start, but learning how to drive a sled was a completely new challenge. That learning process is what attracted me to the sport.
What does your typical training day look like?
During the off-season, a typical day includes sprint training, strength training, mobility work, and recovery sessions. We also spend time working on push starts at the Ice House in Calgary. During the winter, training includes both on-ice sliding sessions and gym work, depending on the competition schedule.
Have you received any advice that has stuck with you?
One piece of advice that has stayed with me is to focus on getting a little better every day. Progress in skeleton does not happen overnight. Small improvements made consistently over time can make a huge difference at the highest level.
What do you enjoy about competing in skeleton around the world?
I enjoy challenging myself against the best athletes in the world and experiencing different cultures and countries through sport. Skeleton has taken me places I never imagined I would visit, and every track presents a new challenge to solve.
Do you have any favourite sports to watch?
I enjoy watching track and field and soccer. Track and field is where my athletic journey began, so I still follow the sport closely. I also enjoy watching international soccer, especially as Canada and Croatia are competing in major tournaments like the World Cup.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I enjoy spending time with friends and family, exploring new places while travelling, and going on hikes. I also like watching sports, staying active outdoors, and taking the opportunity to experience different cultures and communities when I am competing around the world.
When do you start preparing for the new season and how will you get competition-ready?
Preparation for the next season begins shortly after the previous one ends. The focus starts with building strength, speed, and power during the summer. As the season approaches, training becomes more specific to skeleton, with push training, technical work, and testing. The goal is to arrive at the first races stronger, faster, and more prepared than the year before.
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