Winter Olympics 2026: UK Skeleton Team's Helmet Appeal
The British skeleton team's success in the 2024-2025 season was remarkable, with Matt Weston claiming overall World Cup gold and Marcus Wyatt securing silver, winning all seven races between them. This triumph was achieved with a new helmet design, which the British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association (BBSA) is now defending against safety concerns raised by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF).
The BBSA informed BBC Sport that the helmet they intended to use for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy is a novel design for the 2026-2027 season, commencing later this year. They emphasize their commitment to innovation, ensuring the design adheres to the current rules.
According to the BBSA, the new helmet has been meticulously crafted to meet the stringent safety standards imposed by the IBSF for the 2026-2027 season. These rules aim to enhance safety, and the helmet has been proven to outperform other models in terms of safety.
The rules mandate specific safety and shape requirements for helmets, prohibiting any additional aerodynamic elements. The team recently tested the new helmets during a training session in Switzerland and brought both the new and old helmets to Cortina.
A notable incident occurred at the 2010 Winter Olympics when the USA and Canada protested after British slider Amy Williams won the gold medal, alleging that the small ridges on her helmet were illegal. However, the protest was dismissed.
At the 2018 Games, British medallists Lizzy Yarnold, Laura Deas, and Dom Parsons wore specialized skin suits with drag-resistant ridges, sparking questions about their legality from rival teams. With the men's event set to commence on February 12th and the women's event on February 13th, Matt Weston is the strong favorite for the gold medal in Cortina.
