The British skeleton team has made headlines following a triumphant 2024-25 season, highlighted by Matt Weston clinching the overall World Cup gold while teammate Marcus Wyatt secured silver. Together, they dominated the competition, winning all seven races they competed in.
Their remarkable success has come with the introduction of a new helmet design that the British Bobsleigh & Skeleton Association (BBSA) believes adheres to the upcoming regulations set to take effect for the 2026-27 season. This innovative design aims to enhance athlete safety while complying with the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) mandates, which outline the safety standards that helmets must meet. These standards ensure that helmets do not feature any aerodynamic elements that could give an unfair advantage.
The team had the opportunity to trial the new helmets during a recent training session in Switzerland, although they have also prepared to use their previous models during the upcoming competitions in Cortina. Notably, safety compliance and helmet design have been subjects of controversy in the past. At the 2010 Winter Olympics, a protest was lodged by teams from the USA and Canada regarding the design of British athlete Amy Williams’ helmet, citing legality concerns over its ridges. Similar issues arose during the 2018 Games with British athletes who utilized skin suits featuring drag-resistant ridges, sparking further scrutiny.
With the men’s skeleton event scheduled to begin on February 12 and the women’s event on February 13, Weston is seen as the frontrunner for the gold medal. The innovations in helmet designs by the BBSA not only represent a commitment to safety but also signify a proactive approach to adhering to the evolving rules of the sport. As the competitions approach, the British skeleton team’s strategic preparation and recent successes rally hope for a stellar performance on the Olympic stage.