Laura Nolte: A Bobsleigh Champion Driven by Family and Determination

As of February 15, 2026, 27-year-old Laura Nolte from Unna, Germany, is dreaming of adding another medal to her collection at the Winter Olympics. The talented bobsleigh pilot isn’t facing this challenge alone; she’s fueled by the unwavering support of nearly 30 friends and family members who will be cheering her on every step of the way. At the heart of this supportive crew are her mother, Sandra, and father, Lukas Nolte.

A Family Ritual: The Power of a Pink Hat

Sandra Nolte diligently rummages through her travel bag, searching for something specific. Success! She pulls out a bright pink hat – an item that absolutely cannot be left behind. Sandra wears this hat at every single one of her daughter’s races, a cherished ritual shared by other family members and friends. The pink hat has become the signature emblem of Germany’s top bobsleigh athlete, Laura Nolte. “We’d better pack this right away,” Sandra says, carefully placing the hat at the very top of the bag.

Cortina d’Ampezzo: The Stage for Olympic Dreams

This isn’t a typical vacation. The destination is Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – the host city for the Winter Olympics. It’s here, on the challenging bobsleigh track, that Laura will compete. Sandra and Lukas have secured accommodation in the city, planning to stay for ten days to passionately cheer their daughter on in her pursuit of gold. This will be the Nolte family’s first time attending the Olympics in person.

A Missed Opportunity in Beijing

The last Winter Olympics, held four years ago in Beijing, were different. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Laura’s parents were forced to watch from home. They had to witness their daughter achieve her greatest sporting success – becoming the youngest ever Olympic champion in the two-woman bobsleigh – from their living room sofa, nearly 8,000 kilometers away. They nervously watched as Laura completed four strong runs on the ice track.

“Being there this time is particularly important, especially since we couldn’t be at the last Winter Games,” Sandra and Lukas agree. And they aren’t the only ones traveling to Italy to support Laura. More than twenty friends, acquaintances, and family members have already confirmed their attendance.

Prepared for Anything: Packing for Success

Sandra Nolte admits she’s lost count of the total number of supporters who will be in Cortina. To ensure everything is covered, the Noltes are meticulously packing. Clothes, drinks, snacks, and fan gear are piling up in their living room in Unna. As a special surprise for Laura, they’ve even designed a giant pink banner that they plan to display in the finish area during her races. Sandra and Lukas carefully fold the banner, placing it prominently at the top of the luggage.

Everything is packed, everything is prepared. Now, it’s up to Laura to repeat her Olympic victory. You can follow Laura’s journey on WDR Fernsehen, Lokalzeit Dortmund on February 13, 2026, at 7:30 PM.

Image: Laura Nolte at the 2023 World Championships. Source: Wikimedia Commons