GB’s Weston in Prime Position to Win Skeleton Gold

Great Britain’s Matt Weston holds a commanding lead at the halfway mark of the men’s skeleton competition at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, positioning him perfectly for gold after two blistering runs at the Eugenio Monti Olympic Sliding Center in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.[1][3] On February 12, 2026, the 28-year-old world champion leads by 0.30 seconds ahead of Germany’s Axel Jungk, with his track-record-setting second run of 55.88 seconds—the only sub-56-second performance—underscoring his dominance.[1][3]

Weston, born March 2, 1997, has risen meteorically in skeleton, a high-speed winter sport where athletes hurtle headfirst down an icy track on a single sled at speeds exceeding 130 km/h.[2] Switching from taekwondo and rugby in 2017 via UK Sport’s “Discover your Gold” program, he claimed his first World Cup win in 2021 and has since amassed an unparalleled resume: two-time world champion (2023, 2025), two-time European champion (2023, 2026), and three-time overall World Cup winner (2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26).[2] He’s the first Briton to secure multiple world titles, eclipsing legends like Kristan Bromley.[1][2]

His Olympic journey adds drama. At Beijing 2022, Weston finished 15th, a result so disheartening amid Great Britain’s medal drought in skeleton that he nearly quit the sport.[2][4] “I was really upset after my first run” in Cortina, he echoed post-Day 1, but quick coach consultations sparked adjustments.[1] Starting last on Run 2 as the leader, he unleashed a track record of 56.21 seconds on Run 1, then shaved three-tenths to 55.88, reclaiming the record and extending his edge.[1][3] “Now I try to enjoy it. It’s the Olympics! My preparation for tomorrow: Probably a lot of Pizza. Or Pasta—Pasta makes you faster!” Weston quipped, blending focus with levity.[1]

The field trails tightly, amplifying the stakes for Friday’s final two runs. Germany’s Axel Jungk, defending Olympic silver medalist, sits second, just 0.30 seconds back after a near-miss on Run 1 (0.06 seconds off Weston’s pace).[1][3] Teammate Christopher Grotheer, Beijing 2022 gold medalist, lurks third at 0.46 seconds behind, having set a temporary track record on Run 2 before Weston surpassed it.[1][3] China’s Chen Wenhao occupies fourth, 0.13 seconds from bronze, building on his nation’s lone skeleton medal from Beijing.[3] Host Italy’s Amedeo Bagnis, 2023 world runner-up and track inaugurator, slipped to fifth after a strong Run 1 third-place, 0.20 seconds out of podium contention.[1][3]

Further back, Germany’s Felix Keisinger and GB’s Marcus Wyatt hold sixth and seventh, with a three-way tie for eighth among China’s Yin Zheng, Korea’s Seunggi Jung, and China’s Lin Qinwei.[1] Italy’s Mattia Gaspari is 12th, ahead of U.S. debutant Austin Florian, who smashed the start record at 4.48 seconds but faded to 13th overall.[1][3] America’s Dan Barefoot sits 19th.[3]

Weston’s credentials make him the clear favorite. Post-Beijing, he rebounded fiercely: third at Whistler 2022-23 opener, golds at Lake Placid, Altenberg (doubling as European Championships), Innsbruck, and Sigulda, clinching overall World Cup second despite an off day.[2] He dominated 2023 Worlds in St. Moritz, winning by 1.79 seconds over Bagnis, plus mixed-team silver.[2] Silver followed at 2024 Worlds (0.23 seconds behind Grotheer) and mixed-team events.[2] In 2025, another world title and Cup crown; 2026 brought European gold (0.91 seconds ahead of Bagnis) and a third Cup title, capped by a St. Moritz track record.[2]

This synergy of experience, speed, and mental resilience positions Weston for history. As the reigning world No. 1, his ability to adapt mid-competition—evident from Run 1 woes to Run 2 perfection—mirrors past triumphs.[1][3] A gold would mark GB’s first Olympic skeleton podium since at least Beijing, redeeming 2022’s barren haul and cementing Weston’s legacy as Britain’s greatest slider.[2][4]

Germany’s duo of Jungk and Grotheer pose the biggest threats, with proven Olympic mettle and recent form.[1][3] Jungk’s consistency and Grotheer’s power could exploit any Weston slip on the demanding Cortina track, known for its 1,650-meter length, 16 curves, and 50-degree drops.[1] Bagnis thrives on home support, while Wenhao eyes China’s breakthrough.[3]

As Runs 3 and 4 loom on February 13 (1:30 p.m. and 3:05 p.m. ET), Weston needs only steady execution. His preparation—pasta-fueled rest—signals confidence.[1] Fans tuning into Milano Cortina 2026 live streams will witness if the Briton converts his halfway mastery into Olympic immortality.[3][4]

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Original source: BBC News – GB’s Weston in prime position to win skeleton gold