Matt Weston storms to skeleton gold as Great Britain kick off Games with landmark win
Matt Weston produced a near-flawless performance to claim the men's skeleton gold, delivering four consecutive track records and giving Great Britain its first gold medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics. The 3: 43. 33 winning time left him 0. 88 seconds clear of the field and capped an emotional day for the British team.
Run of track records cements dominant display
Weston was untouchable across all four heats, setting a track record with each run and finishing with an emphatic margin that underlined how dominant his week in Cortina has been. He completed the programme in 3: 43. 33, 0. 88 seconds faster than his nearest rival, and celebrated amid noise and emotion from family and friends in the stands.
“I don't know whether it is real. It feels like a bit of a blur to be honest, ” Weston said after the victory, describing the moment as overwhelming. He praised the work of the team around him and admitted that his perfectionist streak keeps him searching for marginal gains even after such a commanding performance. Weston revealed he was too moved to register the numbers at first: “I was too busy crying to see the numbers!”
The win also carries historical weight. Weston became the first British man to reach the top of the podium in skeleton at these Games, ending his nation's wait for a gold and providing an early boost to the medal table. The emotion was palpable: he thanked those who have sacrificed for his journey and acknowledged the personal cost that comes with elite winter sport preparation.
Eye on more medals: mixed team event offers shot at double gold
Weston has already shifted his focus to the new mixed-team skeleton event, which offers him a chance to become a double Olympic champion at the same Games. The event pairs one male and one female athlete from each nation; combined times will decide medallists, with a reaction-style start and a half-second penalty for false starts adding an extra layer of jeopardy.
He is set to partner with the fastest of the British women — contenders include Tabby Stoecker, Freya Tarbit and Amelia Coltman — and has expressed confidence in the squad’s chances against established powers such as China, Austria and Germany. “We’re going to be one of the strongest sets of teams, ” Weston said, emphasising Britain’s depth and the cohesion built across the camp.
Weston admitted to keeping things light in the immediate aftermath of victory — he celebrated with slices of pizza before resting — but made clear his appetite for more success. He also highlighted that, despite the week’s festivities, there are still technical tweaks to make: even the fourth, record-breaking run contained details he wants to tidy up. That drive for improvement underpins his belief that he can push harder in the mixed-team format, where the adrenaline of the reaction start could yield even faster sled-outs.
Quiet confidence, loud celebration
The British skeleton contingent will carry confidence into the remainder of the programme. Weston’s roommate and fellow team member, Marcus Wyatt, will also feature in the mixed-team event, while the women have posted strong early times in their heats. Weston’s victory has already energized the squad, and his teammates say the gold provides fresh ammunition as they plot further success.
For now the spotlight belongs to Weston: a world champion who converted favouritism into Olympic gold with clinical runs and an iron focus. With the mixed-team race looming, Great Britain will hope this is the first of multiple podium finishes in the sliding disciplines at these Games.
