Team GB has won its first gold medal at the Winter Olympics as Matt Weston triumphed in the men’s skeleton event. Weston, aged 28, was a key contender for medals in Milano Cortina and displayed a strong performance from the outset, leading after the initial two heats.
His times of 56.21 and 55.88 in the first two heats accumulated to an overall time of 1:52.09 before the second day. Subsequently, Weston continued his stellar performance with a notable time of 55.63 in the third heat.
The highlight came in Weston’s final run, setting a track record time of 55.61, which led to an emotional victory celebration with teammate Marcus Wyatt and Team GB coaches. This victory marked a significant improvement for Weston, who finished 15th in the previous Winter Olympics. In contrast, Wyatt, despite a better performance on the second day in Italy, concluded in seventh place with a total time of 3:45.77.
In his post-win statement, Weston expressed the immense personal significance of his achievement, attributing it to his dedicated efforts and the support of his loved ones who made sacrifices for his journey to the podium.
Weston’s victory propels Team GB onto the Winter Olympics medal standings. Additionally, German athletes Axel Jungk and Christopher Grotheer secured the silver and bronze medals, respectively. Commenting on Weston’s performance, Lizzie Yarnold highlighted the intense physical and mental demands of the sport, praising his commitment and the meticulous preparation that led to success.
Eve Muirhead, Team GB’s chef de mission, commended Weston for maintaining composure under pressure and delivering exceptional runs, emphasizing his outstanding athletic prowess and the support system behind his achievement.