University of Bath-based British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association celebrating golden World Cup double
Matt Weston added Overall World Cup gold to his previous World and European Championship title successes as University of Bath-based British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association athletes concluded another impressive season.
Corie Mapp matched Weston’s achievement in the Para Bobsleigh competition as silver and bronze in the last two races of the season in La Plagne secured Overall World Cup gold for the second time in his remarkable career.
Weston joins Kristan Bromley, Shelley Rudman and Lizzy Yarnold as the only Brits to achieve the career hat-trick after becoming the first British male skeleton athlete to win the World Cup title – awarded to the athlete who compiles the most points across all eight World Cup races in Asia, Europe and North America – since Bromley triumphed back in 2008.
Weston improved on his overall silver medal from the 2023-24 season after finishing fourth in the last race of the current campaign in Lake Placid while rival Christopher Grotheer came home in 17th.
Fellow Brit Marcus Wyatt, who succeeded Weston as European Champion this season, won silver in Lake Placid to finish fifth in the overall standings while Craig Thompson was 15th on the day and ninth overall.
View this post on Instagram
“To be seen as the best in the world over a whole season is pretty special,” said Weston, who also won World and European Championship silver this season. “I came close to winning it last season but I popped a spur in one of the races and that blew my chances so it’s great to go one better this year.
“I wasn’t expecting this at all but it’s an amazing feeling. With Grotheer being as consistent as he is, it was hard to picture him finishing down the field here – but that’s what happened. After such a tough season, it’s a massive boost to my confidence going into next year and building up to the next Olympics.
“I have to say a massive thanks to all my coaches and team-mates – without them, this wouldn’t be possible. The same goes to my family and friends. The support I had out here today and at other races (and from back home) has been incredible. It makes a big difference and I’m glad I could give them something to celebrate.”
Para Bobsleigh athlete Mapp also gave his supporters plenty to cheer as he won his 50th international medal by securing Overall World Cup gold for the first time since 2018.
“I hadn’t won it for six years so I was really keen to do that this season,” said Mapp, who also won European Championships gold and World Championships bronze this season. “It was massive on my to-do list and it’s an incredible feeling to have that crystal globe in my hands again.”
There was more success for BBSA athletes in Lake Placid on Saturday as Adelé Nicoll and Kya Placide won Women’s Bobsleigh World Cup silver, just two months after they first slid together at the top level.
The medal was just the second won by a British women’s team in 15 years, matching the silver that 27-year-old Nicoll celebrated as a brakewoman behind Mica McNeill in Sigulda in January 2022.
Athletes with the British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association are based at the University of Bath, home to the UK’s only outdoor push-start track. They also do their strength and conditioning work at the Team Bath Sports Training Village. Click here to find out more.
