Winter Olympics 2026: UK Skeleton Team's Helmet Appeal
The UK skeleton team had a remarkable 2024-2025 season, with Matt Weston claiming the overall World Cup gold and Marcus Wyatt securing the silver, winning all seven races between them. This success was achieved with a new helmet design, which the British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association (BBSA) hopes to use in the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
The BBSA informed BBC Sport that the helmet is a cutting-edge design for the 2026-2027 season, starting later this year. They aimed to be "innovative" while ensuring compliance with the current rules.
According to the BBSA, the new helmet meets the enhanced safety standards imposed by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) for the 2026-2027 season. These standards are designed to improve safety, and the helmet has been proven to be safer than any other models currently in use.
The rules specify safety requirements, including stipulations about the helmet's shape. For instance, no additional aerodynamic elements are allowed. The team tested the new helmets during a training session in Switzerland and brought the old helmets to Cortina.
In the 2010 Winter Olympics, 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.
During 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 begin on February 12th and the women's on February 13th, Matt Weston is the strong favorite for the gold medal in Cortina.
