Team GB has unveiled an ambitious objective to secure a record-breaking five medals at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy, with the newly announced sliding squad poised to play a pivotal role in achieving this historic target. The British team, brimming with world-class talent, enters the Games with high expectations across both skeleton and bobsleigh disciplines.
Matt Weston Leads Medal Charge in Men's Skeleton
Double world champion and triple World Cup winner Matt Weston stands as a formidable favourite for gold in the men's skeleton event. Overcoming a severe thigh injury to dominate the international circuit this season, Weston reflects on his preparation with confidence. "I couldn’t really have wished for too much of a better season going into the Olympics," he stated. "I’m obviously picking up on the things I need to improve because I’m a perfectionist, but I’m pleased with how the year has gone for me personally and for us as a team."
Weston will be joined by his regular roommate, Marcus Wyatt, who secured third place in this year's World Cup and is also considered a strong contender for a podium finish. The duo's camaraderie and competitive edge bolster Britain's prospects in the event.
Women's Skeleton Team Boasts Rich Heritage
On the women's side, Tabby Stoecker, fresh from a third-place finish in the World Cup, spearheads a three-strong team that includes Amelia Coltman. Great Britain boasts a storied history in women's skeleton, having won gold three times previously, and is one of only two nations, alongside Germany, to field three sleds at the Games.
Stoecker expressed her elation at selection: "Getting selected for my first Olympic Games is a dream come true. I feel so incredibly proud of my journey up to this point and I can’t wait to represent my country in Cortina."
Mixed Team Skeleton Makes Olympic Debut
Further medal opportunities arise with the mixed team skeleton event, which debuts at the Olympics this year. Great Britain clinched this season's World Cup title in the discipline, with the final team composition to be determined after the individual races. This innovative format is likely to pair the best male and female finishers, leveraging the squad's depth.
Experienced Bobsleigh Squad Ready for Challenge
In bobsleigh, Brad Hall has been selected for his third Olympic Games, piloting both the two-man and four-man squads. The 35-year-old, Britain's most successful men’s World Cup pilot with 30 medals, will be joined by Taylor Lawrence, who boasts 25 World Cup medals. The pair recently secured World Cup bronze in St Moritz, demonstrating their competitive form.
Greg Cackett and Leon Greenwood complete the four-man squad, with Alex Cartagena named as the travelling reserve. Despite a season impacted by injuries, the bobsleigh team achieved fourth in the overall four-man World Cup standings and sixth in the two-man, though they face stiff competition from German favourites at the Olympics.
Adele Nicoll Adds Versatility to Team
Adele Nicoll, a travelling reserve at Beijing 2022, will compete in both the monobob and two-woman events. Nicoll, also a three-time British shot put champion, is joined in the two-woman by fellow track and field convert Ashleigh Nelson, who made her international bobsleigh debut last year, highlighting the diverse athletic backgrounds within the squad.
Quiet Confidence from Team Leadership
Natalie Dunman, Team GB leader for bobsleigh and skeleton, conveyed a sense of cautious optimism ahead of the Games. "We head to Cortina after a really positive Olympic Cycle in which both sports have won multiple World Championship and World Cup medals," she said. "The squad have demonstrated their strength in depth, with those medals shared across both bobsleigh and skeleton and across the men’s and women’s teams, and the athletes have regularly shown that they can compete with the best in the world."
Dunman added: "We believe we have a solid platform for success in Italy but we know that repeating those performances on the Olympic stage will require a huge effort from all the athletes and staff. We are quietly confident that we can do the country proud but we certainly won’t be taking anything for granted and we know that we will have to be at our very best if we are to achieve our aims next month."
With a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents, Team GB's sliding team is set to embark on a quest for Olympic glory, aiming to surpass previous achievements and etch their names in Winter Games history.
