Team GB's best chance of Winter Olympics gold dealt major blow after helmets ban

Great Britain's Skeleton Sliders Face Setback in Quest for Gold

Team GB's hopes of winning gold at this year's Winter Olympics have suffered a significant blow after the governing body of skeleton, the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), banned new aerodynamic helmets designed by British athletes Matt Weston and Marcus Wyatt. The helmet, which was trialed in San Moritz last week, does not meet the IBSF's rules based on its shape.

Weston and Wyatt are strong contenders to win gold and silver, having dominated the skeleton World Cup races this season with an impressive seven victories between them. Their chances of winning were further enhanced by a new helmet designed to improve aerodynamics, but the IBSF has now ruled that it is unsafe.

The decision has been met with disappointment from Team GB, who have appealed the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The appeal will be heard on Thursday, with the verdict expected on Friday. Weston and Wyatt are set to compete next week.

The controversy over skeleton technology has marred Britain's Winter Olympics preparations. In 2018, other teams raised eyebrows about using custom-made aerodynamic suits that were deemed legal by the IBSF.

UK Sport spent £5.7 million on skeleton sliders in the past four years, and Weston has become world champion for a second time, dominating the sport with five wins this season. Wyatt has also had success, winning two World Cup races.

Despite the setback, UK Sport's performance director Kate Baker believes that Team GB's innovations in skeleton and bobsleigh are paying off. The program is now fully integrated, overseen by the same performance director, Nat Dunman, who has brought significant improvements to the athletes' performances.

Ugh I mean, what's going on with these helmet rules? Can't they just make an exception for Team GB or something? It's not like they're trying to cheat or anything . And now the whole Winter Olympics prep is all messed up because of this one thing... just great . And what's with the IBSF being so strict about it? Don't they trust the athletes and their own testing? It's like, come on guys! Just let them compete already

omg u guys i cant even lol so UKs skeleton sliders r facing setback after new aerodynamic helmets were banned like whats wrong with trying to innovate and gain an edge ? anyway i heard matt weston and marcus wyatt r really sad about this news they've been doing so well in the world cup races and now its all being taken away from them but like i get it, safety first right? so they're appealing to cas hopefully they win or something

I'm surprised they're banning those helmets! It seems like a step backward for Team GB's skeleton sliders . With £5.7 million invested in the sport, you'd think they'd want to stay ahead of the game . I get that safety is important, but it feels like a bit of an overreaction from the IBSF . Those helmets did seem pretty fancy and aerodynamic . Hopefully, the CAS will have some common sense about them and UK Sport's innovations aren't completely shut down .

so i'm reading this and i just can't believe it... like those guys were on fire with their new helmet design and now its all taken away from them? 7 wins this season already and they're still trying to compete with the same old stuff? UK Sport is all about innovation and performance but it seems like the IBSF is just holding back progress . And what's up with these rules, so strict that even tiny tweaks are banned . hope team gb can get this sorted out soon, dont wanna see them miss out on a gold medal

I'm tellin' ya, it's like they're tryin' to hold back progress or somethin' ... I mean, these helmets are designed for speed, and it's not like they're gonna hurt anyone! The UK team is gettin' all worked up about this, but I reckon they'll figure out a way to make it work. I remember when I was watchin' skeleton races back in the day, we didn't have all these fancy helmets and suits, and guys were still flyin' down that ice like pros! Anyway, I hope Team GB can get their appeal through and show those rules who's boss... fingers crossed for 'em!

I'm literally so bummed about this news . Those British skeleton sliders were on fire , and it's crazy that their new helmets got banned by the governing body . It's like, can't they just let athletes innovate and try new things? I mean, we've seen other teams using custom-made suits and getting away with it . And now this new helmet is going to have a huge impact on their chances of winning gold . I'm hoping Team GB gets the appeal through CAS , but fingers crossed for those sliders!

Skeleton sliders are gonna be so frustrated . I mean, £5.7 million is a lot of cash for sports equipment... you'd think they could sort out some aerodynamic helmets . Anyway, gotta give props to Nat Dunman - sounds like he's made a difference with the team . And I'm still rooting for Matt Weston and Marcus Wyatt . Just hope they can appeal that helmet thing and get back on track .

omg what a bummer for those skeleton sliders!! i was hyped to see matt weston and marcus wyatt crush it on the ice but now their chances of winning gold are totally thrown off balance i mean, £5.7 million on skeleton sliders seems like a ton of cash but if they can't even get the aerodynamic helmets right then what's the point? anywayz i'm def rooting for them to appeal this ruling and get their gold medal hopes back on track

Omg what's going on with those skeleton sliders?? they were so close to winning gold but now this new helmet rule is just crazy... I mean I get it that safety comes first and all but come on, can't we just make an exception for Team GB? They've spent like a gazillion pounds on these athletes and now it's being taken away from them?! The tech debate is so annoying, I'm with UK Sport on this one, those innovations are worth the risk... Nat Dunman sounds like a genius! And what about the rest of the teams that used those custom-made suits? Shouldn't they be allowed to compete too?!

I'm literally both hyped and salty at the same time . Like, on one hand, I get it that safety comes first, but can't they just chill for a sec? The fact that Team GB is already appealing this ruling to the CAS is giving me all the anxiety . And, like, what's next? Are we gonna see them banned from wearing socks or something?! .

On the other hand, I kinda feel bad for Matt and Marcus... they've been crushing it in skeleton this season . It's a bummer that their new helmet design didn't meet the IBSF's rules. But, like, at the same time, can't they just innovate and push boundaries a bit more? .

I'm also low-key impressed by UK Sport's investment in skeleton sliders . Like, £5.7 million is no joke! And, apparently, their innovations are paying off... but for how long? . The performance director, Kate Baker, seems pretty optimistic, though . But, like, can't we just have a little bit of both sides here?

omg!!! cant blv wat happend 2 matt weston & marcus wyatt! ther helmets got banned cuz its not shap like they wanted dont think its fare tho... wer gonna lose out on a gold medal because of some stupid rule . UK sport is investin alot of money in these sliders, esp with 5.7 mil n all... i hope team gb can still make it to the finals tho fingers crossed for them!

It's like they say, progress often means stepping out of the comfort zone... or in this case, a helmet . The world of skeleton racing is getting more and more tech-savvy, but at what cost? Are we so focused on winning that we forget about the safety of our athletes? I mean, £5.7 million is a lot of money, but if it's not worth risking lives then is it really worth competing?

And what's with these aerodynamic helmets anyway? Are they just another example of how technology can both help and hinder us? I guess that's the thing about innovation - it's always going to be a double-edged sword. We need to find that balance between pushing the boundaries of what's possible and not compromising our values.

It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out... maybe Team GB will come out on top despite this setback?