Matt Weston's Family Endure Nerve-Wracking Vigil Before Gold Medal Triumph
British skeleton star Matt Weston's fiancee and family were captured living every heart-stopping moment of his gold medal-winning run at the Winter Olympics, before launching into emotional celebrations as his triumph was secured. Weston became Britain's first medallist of Milan Cortina 2026 on Friday night, holding his nerve to justify his status as the overwhelming favourite in the men's skeleton competition.
A Tense Trackside Watch
The 28-year-old had led the competition at the halfway mark, with mounting expectation he would add Olympic gold to his World Cup, World, and European titles from this season. While Weston was in control of his destiny on the ice, new footage has revealed his family enduring a profoundly nervous watch trackside at the Cortina Sliding Centre.
His fiancee Alex Howard-Jones, dad Tom, and mum Alison were captured watching every high-speed turn with bated breath. Dad Tom was seen cheering his son on throughout the duration of the race, but Weston's fiancee Alex appeared visibly racked with nerves, her anxiety palpable as the sled hurtled down the course.
Nerves Turn to Jubilant Celebration
It was not long, however, before the family were able to launch into unrestrained celebrations with the rest of the Team GB contingent in attendance. As Weston crossed the line in a gold medal-winning time, nerves instantly transformed into emotional jubilation.
Alex was hugged tightly by Weston's mum Alison amid the celebrations, while Britain's newest Olympic gold medallist appeared momentarily in shock at the finish as he was embraced by his coach. Weston and Howard-Jones later toasted his monumental victory with a loving kiss after reuniting at the finish area.
Unwavering Faith in Britain's New Hero
Alex, who is set to marry Weston in the summer, insisted she never lost faith in Britain's new sporting hero. 'It feels amazing to be honest,' said Alex. 'I'd told you that he'd get a gold and he did. We couldn't be prouder.' The couple are planning to get married in July.
Alex is the chief operating officer and a founding member of pltfrm search, a specialised executive search firm based in London. The couple also share a ten-year-old cocker spaniel named Logan, adding a personal touch to their story.
Dominant Performance on the Ice
Weston produced two faultless final runs to secure the gold medal definitively, ending Team GB's wait for a medal at the Games. He came into the second day of the men's event with a healthy 0.30-second lead over the rest of the field, after clocking 56.21 on run one before improving to 55.88 in his second.
He extended his advantage to 0.39 seconds following his third run of 55.63 and finished a commanding 0.88 seconds ahead of Axel Jungk of Germany, who took silver. Jungk's compatriot and Beijing 2022 champion Christopher Grotheer claimed the bronze medal.
Overcoming Pre-Event Controversy
The build-up to the event for Weston and his teammate had been unexpectedly dominated by a row over the British team's helmets, which were ruled illegal. The British pair instead reverted to the helmets they used to dominate the 2025-26 World Cup season—a season where Weston won five of seven races and his teammate won the other two.
Dad Tom summed up the family's pride, stating: 'He's definitely that good. I knew he'd be very close, at least second. Absolutely proud of him.' Weston's gold medal not only fulfilled his destiny but also provided his family with a memory of tension and triumph they will cherish forever.
