Helen Upperton Canadian bobsledder Date of Birth: 31.10.1979 Country: Canada

1. Early Life and Family Background
2. Bobsleigh Career
3. Olympic Success
4. Rivalry with Kaillie Humphries
5. Education and Personal Life

Early Life and Family Background

Helen Upperton, a Canadian bobsledder, was born in Ahmadi, Kuwait in 1979. Despite being born in Kuwait, Upperton has British and Canadian citizenship. Her parents, both British, met and resided in Kuwait at the time of her birth. Upperton's father, Kerry, worked in the oil industry. She has two other sisters and grew up in Calgary, Canada, where she still resides.

Bobsleigh Career

Upperton joined the Canadian bobsleigh team in 2001. She has achieved considerable success in the sport, earning three gold medals, five silver medals, and three bronze medals in World Cup races. Her World Cup victories include wins in St. Moritz, Switzerland (2006), Calgary, Canada (2007), and Cesana, Italy (2008).

Olympic Success

Upperton's most notable achievement came at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia. Alongside Shelli Ann Brown, she won the silver medal in the women's bobsleigh event. The Canadian duo finished just 0.85 seconds behind teammates Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse, who won the gold medal. This silver medal was a significant achievement for Upperton and Brown, who upset the American team of Erin Pac and Elana Meyers in the final run.

Rivalry with Kaillie Humphries

Upperton's most significant rival has been her Canadian teammate, Kaillie Humphries. Humphries finished fifth, one spot behind Upperton, at the 2009 World Championships and took second place in the World Cup standings, while Upperton finished fourth.

Education and Personal Life

Upperton is a graduate of the University of Texas. She has expressed a humorous view on her family's heritage, claiming that her younger sister, who was born in Calgary, is the "only true Canadian" among them.