Team GB Sets Sights on Historic Winter Olympics Performance in Italy
Team GB is embarking on a mission to achieve its most successful Winter Olympics to date at the upcoming Milano Cortina Games in 2026. With a contingent packed with world-class talent, the British team aims to shatter previous records and elevate its standing on the global winter sports stage.
Ambitious Medal Predictions and High Expectations
UK Sport, the organisation responsible for funding Olympic and Paralympic sports across the United Kingdom, has projected a medal haul of between four and eight for Team GB in northern Italy. This ambitious forecast represents a significant step up from Britain's best previous performances at the Winter Games, which yielded five medals at both Sochi 2014 and Pyeongchang 2018, including one gold medal each time.
Performance directors within Team GB are raising expectations even higher this cycle, buoyed by the exceptional quality of athletes selected for the Italian campaign. The team includes multiple world champions, X Games gold medallists, and consistent World Cup podium finishers, reflecting a period of sustained success in international competitions.
Foundation of Success: Recent Achievements and Meticulous Preparation
The optimism surrounding Team GB's prospects is firmly rooted in tangible results from the 2024/25 season. British winter athletes secured an impressive nine World Championship medals across various disciplines, demonstrating depth and competitiveness. In Olympic events, British skiers and snowboarders alone claimed 28 major podiums, along with three Crystal Globes for overall World Cup titles and one World Championship crown, courtesy of freestyle skier Zoe Atkin.
Chef de mission Eve Muirhead, who famously led the British curling team to gold at the 2022 Beijing Games, emphasised the thoroughness of the team's preparations. "Our approach has been meticulous, with a clear focus on creating the optimal conditions that allow our athletes to deliver peak performances when it matters most," Muirhead stated.
She added, "The potential within this squad is exceptionally high. While we may not always enjoy the same easy access to snow and ice facilities as some of our international rivals, when I assess the class of 2026, I see a genuine opportunity to challenge the established order and make history."
Key Medal Contenders Across Multiple Disciplines
With the bar set remarkably high in events such as men's skeleton, men's and mixed curling, and various skiing and snowboarding categories, several British athletes are poised to lead the charge for podium finishes.
- Matt Weston - Skeleton: The double men's skeleton world champion has dominated the World Cup circuit, winning three consecutive overall titles between 2023 and 2026. Currently leading the global rankings, Weston has triumphed in five of this season's seven World Cup events, with team-mate Marcus Wyatt also a strong podium contender.
- Kirsty Muir - Freestyle Skiing: A two-time World Cup gold medallist, Muir has excelled in both big air and slopestyle events. Her recent achievements include slopestyle gold at the Aspen X Games and big air silver, showcasing her versatility and competitive edge.
- Mia Brookes - Snowboarding: At just 16 years old, Brookes made history by becoming snowboarding's youngest ever world champion in 2023. She has since won consecutive big air Crystal Globes and secured World Cup gold, positioning her as a potential candidate for Team GB's first Olympic gold or silver medal on snow.
- Zoe Atkin - Freestyle Skiing: As the current halfpipe world champion, Atkin has been in formidable form, achieving three podium finishes from three World Cup starts this season, including a gold medal. Her recent X Games gold further underscores her medal potential.
- Charlotte Bankes - Snowboard Cross: The 2021 world champion has a proven track record, having also secured the mixed team title in 2023. Despite setbacks like a broken collarbone in 2025, Bankes remains a formidable force with two Crystal Globe titles to her name.
- Lewis Gibson and Lilah Fear - Figure Skating: This dynamic ice dance partnership could deliver Britain's first Olympic figure skating medal since 1994. With four European medals and two Grand Prix Final bronzes, they are widely regarded as the finest British pair since the legendary Torvill and Dean.
- Team Mouat - Curling: Led by Bruce Mouat, the British curling team is tipped to build on their silver medal from 2022. As reigning world champions and three-time consecutive European title holders, they are strong contenders for podium success once again.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, scheduled from February 6 to 22, promises to be a landmark event for Team GB. With a blend of experienced champions and emerging talents, the British team is ready to challenge for medals across multiple disciplines, aiming to rewrite the record books and inspire a new generation of winter sports enthusiasts.
