The wait is over. Team GB is finally on the medal board, and they have done it in spectacular fashion.
Matt Weston produced a masterclass in composure and speed on Friday, sliding his way to the gold medal in the men’s skeleton at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Not only is this Great Britain’s first medal of the Games, but Weston has also written his name in the history books as the first British man ever to win Olympic skeleton gold.
Here is how the 28-year-old from Redhill turned pressure into dominance on the Cortina track.
A Masterclass in Dominance
Weston didn’t just win; he destroyed the field. Heading into the final day with a comfortable lead, he could have played it safe. Instead, he kept his foot on the gas. Weston set a track record on all four of his runs, culminating in a sensational final victory lap of 55.61 seconds.
His total time of 3:43.33 left the competition in the dust.
- Silver: Axel Jungk (Germany) – +0.88 seconds behind
- Bronze: Christopher Grotheer (Germany) – +1.07 seconds behind
“I’ve Missed Funerals, Birthdays…”
Speaking to BBC Sport after the race, an emotional Weston dedicated the win to his support network back home.
“It means everything. It means a hell of a lot to me personally, I’ve worked so hard for this,” Weston said. “But everyone back home – my fiancee, my family, my friends… I’ve missed funerals, birthdays, everything for this moment. It feels amazing. Hopefully I made you proud.”
Breaking the Beijing Curse
This victory is a story of redemption. Four years ago at Beijing 2022, Team GB failed to win a skeleton medal for the first time since 2002, leaving Weston considering quitting the sport entirely.
Since then, he has transformed his mindset, teaching himself to “love the pressure.” That mental fortitude was on full display in Cortina. Weston successfully blocked out the noise surrounding the disqualification of his peer Vladyslav Heraskevych moments before the heats began, maintaining tunnel vision to secure the crown.
Weston now adds the Olympic title to his two World Championship titles and three Crystal Globes, cementing his status as the undisputed king of modern skeleton.
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