SKIN AND MOAN Skeleton star Lizzy puts the Americans in a tizzy with her new aerodynamic suit

BRITISH team officials have been accused of playing mind games ahead of Lizzy Yarnold’s Olympic title defence tomorrow.

The skeleton slider is looking to become the first Brit to win back-to-back Winter Olympic golds, but the talk of the track is her hi-tech skin suit.

British officials have been working with scientists and the English Institute of Sport to create a race suit that reduces wind resistance and turbulence, shaving off vital fractions as athletes reach speeds of up to 90mph.

But American Katie Uhlaender, a former world champion, has raised questions about their legality and her team boss, Darrin Steele, accused British officials of stoking the story as a “mental distraction”.

“A lot of athletes and coaches have questioned whether the suits are legal,” said Uhlaender (below, right), who finished fourth behind Yarnold in Sochi four years ago.

“I think this has been a question posed of Great Britain in the last two Olympics, starting in 2010 with Amy Williams and her helmet and suit.

“The rules state that everyone is supposed to have access to the same equipment, as far as helmets and speed suits go, and not any aerodynamic attachments on the helmet or suit.

“I was trying to get a suit of the same quality and was told it was illegal. This is like Amy’s helmet in 2010 and, in my opinion, that helmet was illegal.”

Laura Deas posted the fastest time in training – an unofficial track record – with Yarnold second quickest. In six runs down the track, the British pair were consistently ranked in the top three, with a Team GB slider in the top position on three occasions.

Williams was allowed to keep her gold medal in Vancouver after protests from nations, led by the USA.

And, four years ago, American slider Noelle Pikushave Pace was tearfully disqualified from a World Cup race, after the British team saw three bits of tape on her sled’s handle, the decision promoting Yarnold to gold.

“We have everything checked before the race,” insisted British men’s competitor Jerry Rice.

“All the equipment we use is checked and signed off by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, and the materials control, so they’re fine with everything

we do.”