Matt Weston Well-Placed to End Great Britain’s Medal Drought at Winter Olympics
Double world champion Matt Weston has made a stellar start in the men’s skeleton competition at the Winter Olympics, positioning himself as a strong contender to end Great Britain's prolonged medal wait. After the opening two runs, Weston leads the field, having set a new track record and demonstrating exceptional form on the ice.
Record-Breaking Performance in Cortina
Weston kicked off his campaign with an impressive first run at the Cortina Sliding Centre, posting a time of 56.21 seconds, which initially stood as a track record. However, the competition intensified as that record was broken twice more. Undeterred, Weston responded with a remarkable second run, clocking 55.88 seconds to reclaim the top spot. His combined time after two heats is one minute 52.09 seconds, placing him 0.3 seconds ahead of his closest rival, Axel Jungk.
Reflecting on his performance, Weston expressed satisfaction but highlighted areas for improvement. "I think I’m pretty happy with the way it’s gone," he said. "There’s still things that I can improve on which I think is an extremely lucky and fortunate place to be. The fact that I want to improve, I want to chase, there’s still things that I can get time out of. But being in first and being in that position is a great place to be."
Teammate Marcus Wyatt in Contention
Meanwhile, Weston's teammate Marcus Wyatt is also in the mix, currently sitting in seventh place with a total time of 1:53.21. Wyatt trails Weston by 1.12 seconds and is 0.66 seconds off the medal positions. He remains optimistic about his chances in the final runs, stating, "I’m definitely capable of picking up some of that time and fixing those mistakes. It’s just a case of executing tomorrow when it matters most. I’m not going to chase, I’m not going to try and think drastic. I’m just going to turn up and do what I try to do every time."
Final Runs to Decide Olympic Glory
The men’s skeleton competition will conclude with two final runs on Friday evening. The winner will be determined by the total time across all four heats, adding to the suspense and pressure. With Weston leading and Wyatt within striking distance, Great Britain has a realistic shot at securing a podium finish, potentially ending a medal drought that has persisted in recent Winter Olympics.
As the event progresses, all eyes will be on Weston to see if he can maintain his lead and deliver a historic performance for British sliding sports. His track record and current form suggest he is well-equipped to handle the challenge, offering hope for fans and athletes alike.
