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.
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.
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 
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 
. 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? 
. 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 
Anyway, I hope Team GB can get their appeal through and show those rules who's boss... fingers crossed for 'em! 
, and it's crazy that their new helmets got banned by the governing body 
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! 
. I mean, £5.7 million is a lot of cash for sports equipment... you'd think they could sort out some aerodynamic helmets 
. And I'm still rooting for Matt Weston and Marcus Wyatt 
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? 
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?! 
.
. Like, £5.7 million is no joke! And, apparently, their innovations are paying off... but for how long? 
. But, like, can't we just have a little bit of both sides here? 
dont think its fare tho... wer gonna lose out on a gold medal because of some stupid rule