Matt Weston etched his name into British Olympic history by securing a second gold medal at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games, teaming up with Tabby Stoecker to triumph in the mixed team skeleton event.
Having already claimed gold in the men’s individual skeleton with a commanding performance on Friday, Weston showcased why he’s the world’s best. Despite starting 0.3 seconds behind after Stoecker’s run, he powered through the course to clinch victory by 0.17 seconds.
This historic achievement makes Weston the first British athlete to win two medals at the same Winter Olympics. He now stands alongside dual women’s skeleton champion Lizzy Yarnold as one of Britain’s most successful Winter Olympians.
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Reflecting on the milestone, Weston said, “There are some legendary names in British Winter Olympic history, and to even consider putting my name next to theirs is a massive honour. I won’t rank myself, but sharing that company is absolutely amazing. Many of those athletes have inspired me, especially within the sliding sports.”
Weston focused entirely on his technique rather than the scoreboard during his race. “At the top, I keep my helmet low to avoid seeing split times. My coach relayed the timings, but all I could think was, don’t false start. I stayed calm, ticked every box, and hoped it would be enough – and it was.”
Stoecker, who finished fifth in the women’s event, had unshakable confidence in Weston’s abilities. “It’s an incredible honour. The gold medal feels so heavy, and sharing it with Matt is beyond what I ever hoped for. After my run, I was glued to the TV screen, cheering Matt on. His sliding is on another level.”
She described the nerves of watching the clock: “It was nerve-wracking checking the splits, but his flow on the sled is unmatched. Around halfway, I felt the gold was ours.”
Among those waiting to celebrate at the Cortina Sliding Centre was Stoecker’s boyfriend, Pat Atkin, who will also stand as best man at Weston’s wedding in the summer.
“My boyfriend, my friends, and family being there made it even more special,” Stoecker said. “I even got to put my gold medal on my niece and nephew—they could barely lift it! These memories will last forever. Matt and I are really close; I consider him one of my best friends.”
Weston and Stoecker’s win marked Britain’s second gold of the day, following Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale’s victory in the mixed team snowboard cross, making it a landmark day for Team GB.
“It’s incredibly special to be part of this,” Weston said. “I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved. Winning the first-ever team skeleton event with such a fantastic teammate is the icing on the cake. I’m buzzing – and honestly, next stop might be the pub!”