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Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, February 11, 2025 – The British skeleton team is facing a last-minute helmet dilemma as they prepare for the World Championships, raising questions about innovation and adherence to evolving safety regulations in the high-speed sport. The team, fresh off a dominant 2024-25 World Cup season were matt Weston and Marcus Wyatt claimed gold and silver respectively-winning all seven races between them-may need to revert to older equipment.
New Helmets, Old Questions: A Familiar Controversy
The British skeleton team’s pursuit of aerodynamic advantage has sparked debate over helmet legality, echoing past controversies in the sport.
- The British Bobsleigh & Skeleton Association (BBSA) developed a new helmet design intended for the 2026-27 season.
- The IBSF,the international governing body for bobsleigh and skeleton,is implementing new safety rules for the 2026-27 season.
- The team tested the new helmets in Switzerland last week but has brought older models to Cortina as a precaution.
- Past instances in 2010 and 2018 saw protests regarding British athletes’ equipment,though ultimately unsuccessful.
The BBSA informed sources that the helmet initially planned for use at the championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo is a new design slated for the 2026-27 season,wich begins towards the end of the year. The institution stated it has strived to be “innovative” with the design, while maintaining confidence that it “be in the current rules.”
What are the new helmet regulations? The new helmet has been engineered to meet stricter safety standards set by the IBSF for the 2026-27 season.According to the BBSA, the design is demonstrably safer than any other helmet currently in use. The rules specifically outline safety benchmarks and shape requirements, prohibiting any additional aerodynamic attachments.
the team conducted a training session in Switzerland last week utilizing the new helmets, but has also brought their established helmets to Cortina as a backup, signaling a degree of uncertainty surrounding the new equipment’s approval.
This isn’t the first time British skeleton racers have faced scrutiny over their equipment.At the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, the USA and Canada protested after Amy Williams secured gold, alleging that small ridges on her helmet were illegal.The protest was ultimately dismissed. Similarly, in 2018, British medalists Lizzy Yarnold, Laura Deas, and Dom Parsons wore specialized skin suits with drag-reducing ridges, prompting questions about their legality from competing teams.
did you know?-Skeleton racers experience forces up to 5G during a run, requiring specialized equipment and intense physical conditioning to withstand the extreme pressure.
Heading into the competition, Matt Weston is widely considered the frontrunner for the men’s gold medal, with events scheduled to begin on February 12. The women’s event will follow on February 13.
A History of Innovation and Protest
The pursuit of marginal gains in skeleton-where fractions of a second can separate gold from oblivion-has consistently pushed the boundaries of equipment regulatio
Pro tip-Maintaining a consistent body position throughout the entire run is crucial for skeleton racers. even small shifts in weight can substantially impact speed and control.
