Career

She is one of the most successful skeleton athletes in the world. Pedersen-Bieri also finished fifth in the women"s skeleton event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Born in Spiez, Switzerland, Pedersen-Bieri is married to Snorre Pedersen (who is her trainer), has two children, one of whom is a daughter, and lives in Øyer near Lillehammer, Norway.

She returned to competition for the 2008-2009 Skeleton World Cup after sitting out the 2007-2008 season to maternity leave.

She finished third in her return at the 2008-2009 event in Altenberg, Germany on December 5, 2008. Pedersen-Bieri also qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics, finishing ninth.

Achievements

• She won the gold medal in the women"s skeleton event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. Pedersen-Bieri won the FIBT World Championships in the women"s skeleton event in 2001 and 2005, and earned two medals at the 2007 FIBT World Championships in Saint Moritz with a silver in the women"s skeleton and a bronze in the mixed bobsleigh-skeleton team event. Pedersen-Bieri also won a silver in the mixed team event at the 2009 championships. Pedersen-Bieri was also European champion in 2006 (in Street Moritz). She won the women"s overall Skeleton World Cup in 1997-1998.