Where is Mystique Ro from?

Mystique Ro was born in Oceanside, California and grew up in Nokesville, Virginia. She currently resides in Lake Placid, New York.

How old is Mystique Ro in 2026?

Ro will be 31 years old at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. She was born on July 18, 1994.

When did Mystique Ro start competing in skeleton?

After graduating from college, Ro was at a crossroads over her future. A chance discussion with a college teammate introduced Ro to the idea of competing in sliding sports. She began competing in lower-level events in 2017, before making the jump to the World Cup circuit in 2023.

What is Mystique Ro’s background before joining Team USA Skeleton?

Growing up with 11 siblings, Ro naturally was a tough and competitive child. She competed in various sports as a kid, but by high school she had gravitated toward track and field, where her diverse athletic background made her a candidate for a variety of events.

Did Mystique Ro compete in track and field before switching to skeleton?

By the time Ro began her track and field career at Queens University of Charlotte, she was a full-fledged track and field star with experience in enough events to be capable of entering the heptathlon. She spent four years with the Royals competing in a variety of events and setting school records across the board. 

How did Mystique Ro qualify for the U.S. national skeleton team?

Ro originally was introduced to sliding sports after bobsled legend Elana Meyers Taylor sent a recruiting email to track and field coaches across the country, encouraging athletes to attend a sliding sports combine. While Ro originally planned to pursue bobsled, her smaller size had coaches moving her to skeleton, where she finished in the top three at a rookie camp.

What is Mystique Ro’s career timeline in skeleton racing?

2016: Ro attends a training combine for Team USA and finishes top three in skeleton

2017: Ro begins training and competes in several lower-level North American Cup (NAC) races

2018: Ro continues with the NAC circuit, logging a career best fourth-place finish

2019: Ro secures her first career podium in a NAC event. She enters the Europe Cup circuit.

2020: Ro earns her first career win in skeleton at a NAC race

2021: In a shortened season, Ro begins to score podiums and wins consistently

2022: Ro finishes first at the IBSF Push World Championships

2023: Ro makes her IBSF World Cup debut. In December 2023, she lands her first World Cup podium, finishing in second place.

2024: Ro earns her first World Cup victory and completes her first World Cup season. She takes home the gold medal at the Pan American Championships in March.

2025: Ro competes in her first world championships. She takes home silver in the women’s skeleton and gold in the mixed team event alongside Austin Florian.

What are Mystique Ro’s best results on the IBSF North American Cup or Intercontinental Cup circuits?

Ro enjoyed a rapid ascent through the North American Cup and Intercontinental Cup circuits. By the time she moved to the World Cup circuit, Ro had multiple wins in both series.

Has Mystique Ro competed in World Cup events for Team USA?

Ro made her World Cup debut for Team USA during the 2023-24 season and would go on to win her first World Cup race that same season.

What are Mystique Ro’s biggest career highlights so far?

Ro’s biggest highlight in skeleton undoubtably is her world championship performance. She launched herself onto the world stage with her stunning silver medal in the women’s skeleton at the 2025 IBSF World Championships, becoming the first American to win a world medal in skeleton in eight years. To go along with her silver medal, she also took home gold in the mixed team event, which will make its Olympic debut in Milan Cortina.

Will Mystique Ro compete at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics?

While the roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics has not yet been named, Ro has proven herself to be one of Team USA’s biggest threats on the ice and will be a featured athlete in Milan Cortina.

How is Mystique Ro performing during the 2025–26 IBSF competition season?

Ro finished in 5th place in the first mixed team race of the World Cup season alongside Florian. In the women's event, she was on pace for a strong finish before a small error knocked her out in the first heat.

Which countries are the biggest competition for Mystique Ro and Team USA at Milan Cortina 2026?

At the Milan Cortina Olympics, Ro and Team USA will face stiff competition in the women’s skeleton event, particularly from nations like Germany and Great Britain, which boast a deep roster filled with talent.

What are Mystique Ro’s best race finishes in international skeleton events?

So far in her career, Ro has logged victories in several international skeleton events. She has a pair of medals from the world championships, a slew of victories across the North American, Intercontinental and Europe Cups, a Pan American victory, a push world championship win, and a World Cup win. 

Has Mystique Ro won medals on the North American Cup circuit?

Ro has won six races on the North American Cup circuit and has 10 career podiums.

How does Mystique Ro rank in IBSF skeleton standings?

Ro finished the 2024-25 season just outside the top 10 in the women’s skeleton rankings before going on to secure silver at the world championships.

What did Mystique Ro study in college?

In college, Ro majored in communications after switching from political science. She also picked up minors in stage combat and theater performance, which helped her gain confidence and overcome her fear of public speaking. She credits stage combat with helping her maintain fluidity in her skeleton races. 

How many brothers and sisters does Mystique Ro have?

Ro is one of 11 siblings in her family, with eight brothers and two sisters, including a twin. Ro is one of the eldest siblings and is the eldest daughter in her family, which she believes contributed to her nurturing personality. This trait has helped her in skeleton, where teams are very small and family-like. She also rescued a beagle mix named Tatanka, who has his own Instagram account.

What are some fun facts about Mystique Ro?

• While studying stage fighting, Ro learned to fight with various prop weapons, including a broadsword, quarterstaff, rapier and rapier dagger (individually and in combination) and hand to hand combat.
• Ro’s helmet is inspired by the comic book hero Wolverine. She is fascinated by hyenas, loves practicing languages (including the elvish language Sindarin from Lord of the Rings), and plans to write a book one day.
• Ro grew up playing the trumpet and even played in her college marching band. While she originally wanted to play trombone, she and her mom decided it was too big of an instrument, so they settled on the trumpet. Outside music, she enjoys various art projects and even has a small shop on Etsy.