Matt Weston ends 14-year British wait for men’s skeleton World Cup gold after sharing three-way tie for top spot in remarkable race
Matt Weston won World Cup skeleton gold in Igls on Friday morning for the country’s first men’s top tier win for nearly 14 years.
Weston, who trains with the University of Bath-based British Bobsleigh & Skeleton Association, shared gold with China’s Wenqiang Geng and Germany’s Christian Grotheer after a remarkable race in Austria.
The 24-year-old had only eight World Cup appearances to his name prior to today’s competition but he produced a stunning two-run performance to better the silver medal he won at the same track 11 months ago.
The win was the first time a GB slider had stood on the top step of the podium on the World Cup circuit since Laura Deas did so in Altenberg in November 2015 and the first time a man had matched that feat since Kristan Bromley triumphed in St Moritz in January 2008.
“It’s amazing, I’m almost lost for words to be honest,” said Weston. “It’s the best feeling I’ve ever had on the ice and it definitely hasn’t sunk in yet. I knew I could improve on last week but to go that much better was just brilliant.
“It was amazing winning silver here last season but this definitely beats that hands down! I can take a lot of positives from the result but also because I know the runs weren’t perfect – I know there’s the potential for more improvement.
“This season is all about getting to the Olympics in the best shape possible and this is a big step towards doing that.”
Weston clocked a combined time of 1:46.04 – the exact same time as Geng and double reigning World Champion Grotheer across almost two miles of racing.
Fellow Brit Marcus Wyatt also improved on his showing from the first World Cup as he finished 10th in 1:46.55 while Craig Thompson, having missed the cut by the narrowest of margins last week, earned a second run this time around and placed 17th overall in 1:47.01.
We spoke to Matt Weston pre-season about his World Cup and Olympic ambitions…
Click here to find out more about the skeleton programme based at the University of Bath.
Pictures credit: IBSF/Viesturs Lacis
