Skeleton world champion Matt Weston remains calm amid uncertainty over the possible ban of the new helmets that British athletes planned to use at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina.
The British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association (BBSA) has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation’s (IBSF) ruling that the team’s new helmets do not comply with current regulations.
Despite the controversy, Weston is confident and undeterred. Having already won five of seven World Cup events this season using his current helmet, he feels well-prepared for the Olympics regardless of the appeal’s outcome.
READ MORE: Crowdfunder Launched to Block Controversial Castle Cary Housing Development
READ MORE: Construction Begins on 105 New Homes Near Bridgwater Secondary School
He told the Press Association: “It doesn’t really affect me too much. The equipment I’ve been using all year is what I can use at the Olympics, and that hasn’t gone too badly for me. I’m not concerned – I’m just excited to get racing.”
Weston emphasized that innovation plays a constant role in their sport, where margins are decided by hundredths of a second. “We’re constantly pushing boundaries and finding those gains. This is just one part of the innovation we do as GB, and I think we do it pretty well.”
While the new helmet has a slightly different aerodynamic shape, Weston stresses that their success has come with the current gear. “If the new helmet is allowed, great. But if not, it’s no big deal. We’re confident we can bring medals home with what we have.”
He concluded, “This is such a small issue — it hasn’t really crossed our minds much. We’re focused on ourselves, on doing what we need to excel at the Olympics.”