Team USA’s ‘most eligible bachelorette’, Sophia Kirkby, has turned the Winter Olympics into her own dating arena by encouraging fans and athletes to take her out
Winter Olympics star Sophia Kirkby has her eyes on both securing medals and finding love in Milan and Cortina. The Team USA athlete, 24, will compete in the women’s double luge on Wednesday, February 11, and the team relay event the following day.
She made history with team-mate Chevonne Forgan by becoming the first US duo to qualify for the women’s doubles luge team at the Olympics, given the event is new to the 2026 schedule.
Kirkby, who has competed for the USA luge from age 16, clinched silver and bronze medals at the 2024 World Luge Championships in the same two events and could go one better in Italy this week.
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But, aside from her Olympic debut, the Vermont slider has another objective on her mind in Cortina: romance. The blonde beauty has made it clear to her 23,000 Instagram followers that she is determined not to leave Italy single. Whether that means dating a fellow Olympian or a fan, she’s not fussed.
Kirkby, who is no stranger to leaving said fans hot under the collar with her eye-catching snaps on the social media platform, encouraged them to slide into her Direct Messages earlier this month.
The American posted a video of herself strutting in a figure-flaunting bodysuit overlaid with the text: Athlete Village’s Most Eligible Bachelorette Arrives Tomorrow.
She captioned it: “I’m happy to announce I’ll be showing you the inside life of an Olympian dating at the Olympics. Stay tuned.”
While leaning light-hearted and playful, she has since doubled down on her attempts at finding love by making a genuine attempt at putting herself out there.
Kirkby, much to the delight of hundreds of fans, revealed plans to go on dates starting February 12, after her final event.
And she said her dating platforms will be up and running in time for Valentine’s Day, writing: “The Olympics officially kick off this Friday, and I’ll be in Cortina. Also… yes, I’m single. Athlete Village’s Most Eligible Bachelorette season has officially begun.”
She added in another post: “I finish racing on the 12th and I’m looking for a Valentine’s Date. I’m not just looking to the other Olympians to grab a cappuccino. I’ll have my dating profiles activated and I’m open to grabbing a coffee with you, the fans.”
Kirkby has since admitted that over 600 potential suitors have flooded her Instagram DMs. Kirkby shared with followers: “I have so many contenders for a date and I’m ready to start messaging you guys back and seeing what we can schedule! Right now, I actually have two dates scheduled for the 14th and I’m open to scheduling more if I have spare time.”
Speaking to Women’s Health, she elaborated: “My mindset is just to take chances, meet people, and see what’s out there once racing is done.”
She explained her usual dating tactics by saying: “I usually keep it [the first date] simple: I’m Sophia, I compete in women’s doubles luge, and I also run a ceramics business. If they’re curious, I’ll explain the sport, but I try to keep it normal and not make it feel like an interview.”
Kirkby also offered her admirers some advice, listing what turns her off. She said: “Swearing a lot on a first date, showing up to dinner in something sloppy like a dirty hoodie, being disrespectful, bringing up an ex or saying weird stuff like they ‘only date blondes’. Basically, if a guy is immature or silly in a way that isn’t considerate, I’m out.”