Team GB’s prospects of securing skeleton gold at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics have been thrown into serious doubt following a ruling by the sport’s governing body against their specially designed helmets.
The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation determined on January 29 that the British helmets failed to comply with competition regulations due to their shape.
Double world champion Matt Weston, the overwhelming favourite for gold in the men’s event, faces significant uncertainty alongside teammate Marcus Wyatt as a result of the decision.
Both athletes use the same equipment, and Wyatt is regarded as Weston’s primary challenger for the top podium spot.
The British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association has mounted an urgent challenge against the ruling, submitting an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport on February 2.
The governing body maintains that the helmet design satisfies stringent safety requirements and is actually safer than alternative headgear currently in use.
CAS’s ad hoc Olympic division confirmed on Wednesday that proceedings would take place on Thursday, with a verdict expected on Friday.
The timing remains tight, as the skeleton competition is scheduled to commence on February 12 and 13.
Double world champion Matt Weston is the overwhelming favourite for gold in the men’s event
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The BBSA has requested that CAS declare the helmet compliant with regulations and safe for use at the Milan-Cortina Games and in subsequent IBSF events.
Weston and Wyatt have enjoyed a remarkable campaign, claiming victory in every one of the seven World Cup races held this season.
Weston secured five of those wins, with Wyatt taking the remaining two, establishing British dominance in the discipline.
At last year’s world championships, Weston claimed his second consecutive title, finishing 1.9 seconds ahead of Wyatt.
The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation determined that the British helmets failed to comply with competition regulations due to their shape
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REUTERS
Whether the prohibited helmet is identical to the equipment used during their World Cup dominance remains unclear.
It may instead represent a newly introduced design, revealed in recent days to gain a final aerodynamic advantage before the Games.
Most competing nations typically hold back their technological innovations until the last possible moment before major competitions.
UK Sport has channelled £5,765,123 of National Lottery funding into the skeleton programme over the past four years.
Team GB’s prospects of securing skeleton gold at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics have been thrown into serious doubt
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Performance director Kate Baker acknowledged before the Games that British athletes had been utilising new technology, particularly in skeleton and bobsleigh, including access to their own wind tunnel for testing.
Baker said.”Our innovation team at the UK Sports Institute works with a number of critical partners. Whether those are related to Formula One or related to cycling, we now have, which is a unique position for us, our own wind tunnel.”
This is not the first occasion British skeleton technology has attracted scrutiny ahead of a Winter Olympics.
At PyeongChang 2018, custom-made aerodynamic suits worn by British athletes raised concerns from rival nations, though the IBSF ultimately declared them legal. Lizzy Yarnold went on to claim gold at those Games.
