GOLDEN GIRL LIZZY SPINS A REAL YARN

Sliding star celebrates with a bit of knitting

FROM PIPPA FIELD in PyeongChang WHAT to do the morning after becoming the first Brit to successfully defend your Olympic title? Dig out the knitting needles, of course.

Less than 12 hours after sliding her way into the record books, skeleton ice queen Lizzy Yarnold (above) found herself rewinding in her own unique way.

Battling insomnia after just three hours sleep, as well as an infection, Great Britain’s most successful ever Winter Olympian could be found knitting away in front of Australian television drama series, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries.

“I woke up early and didn’t know what to do, but put on Netflix and chill with some knitting,” she said. “I’m only knitting strips because I can’t do a pattern, that’s too complicated. But it’s very calming.

“My nan taught me to knit years ago, and passed away two years ago, so it’s a way to feel connected to her.”

After months of battling to rediscover the form that saw her storm to gold in Sochi four years ago, it all came good when it mattered for the 29-year-old, winning by nearly half a second, with team-mate Laura Deas (above) taking bronze.

They received their medals and heard the national anthem yesterday, but Yarnold played it as cool as the ice she slides on when asked if Saturday could have been her last competitive outing. “I think I’ll take a break. I need to get over my chest infection first. I’ll take a good break and get back to you,” she added. “I feel very motivated today, as I did four years ago, and feel that I can jump back on the sled. “But I’d recommend any athlete to take a break. It’s a four-year cycle and, even though it’s tempting, and you’re desperate to carry on, it’s a long time to be at your best. “I’m looking forward to being home, remembering that I’m a terrible cook, and asking my husband James to cook dinner.”