The countdown to the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina 2026 was supposed to be smooth sailing for Team GB’s skeleton squad, with gold medal hopes resting heavily on world champion Matt Weston.
But excitement turned to frustration this week when Weston learned that the new helmet he planned to race with has been ruled illegal.
This unexpected blow has sent shockwaves through the British team, not just for Weston, but also for his teammate and closest rival Marcus Wyatt, who relies on the same equipment.
Both athletes now face the prospect of competing with older gear, potentially affecting their bid for Olympic glory.
Urgent Appeal in the Court of Arbitration for Sport
The dispute came to light on Wednesday after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) revealed that the British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association (BBSA) had filed an urgent appeal against the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation’s (IBSF) decision.
The appeal, lodged on February 2, 2026, challenges the IBSF’s ruling from January 29 that Team GB’s new helmet does not comply with current skeleton rules.
The CAS will hear the case on Thursday, with a verdict expected the following day.
The British association is pushing for the helmet to be cleared for use not only in these Games but also in future IBSF competitions, arguing it is safer and more beneficial to athletes than any current alternatives.
Returning to Tried-and-Tested Gear
Fortunately for Weston and Wyatt, neither had yet raced in the new design.
They can revert to the helmets worn during the 2025-26 World Cup season, where Weston dominated with five wins and Wyatt secured two victories out of seven races.
Their strong performance so far means Team GB still enters Milan-Cortina with an edge, but the disruption is far from ideal.
For a team that prides itself on pushing the boundaries of innovation, having to abandon a new technological development at the last minute is both frustrating and potentially embarrassing.
The Rule Change That Sparked the Issue
Sources indicate the problem stems from upcoming IBSF regulations that will be enforced in 2027, which the new helmet design complies with.
However, for the 2026 Olympics, it falls outside the existing rules.
British officials discovered the incompatibility during equipment trials at St. Moritz last week, triggering the urgent appeal to CAS.
A statement from the CAS summarized the situation: “The case concerns a decision by the IBSF that the safety helmet for Team GB for Skeleton does not comply with IBSF Skeleton rules.
The BBSA requests that CAS rules the helmet is compliant and safe to use in the Olympic competition and proves safer than current helmets.”
Innovation or Controversy?
Team GB has a history of technological controversy.
British sliders have frequently led the sport thanks to innovation, but this isn’t the first time other nations have accused them of gaining an unfair advantage.
In Pyeongchang 2018, for example, Canada protested the GB skinsuits after Lizzy Yarnold clinched gold.
With over £5.5 million of lottery funding invested into skeleton for this Olympic cycle, Britain has relied on smart engineering to compete against traditionally strong winter sport nations.
But with the helmet ruling, it’s unclear whether the team’s pursuit of cutting-edge performance has gone too far.
What Happens Next?
All eyes are now on CAS as the appeal moves forward.
If the British team wins, Weston and Wyatt could race with their state-of-the-art helmet after all.
If not, they’ll need to adapt quickly to older gear while still aiming for podium finishes.
Either way, this helmet controversy has added an unexpected twist to Team GB’s gold medal chase.
