“He has everything he needs to become Olympic champion... if not these games, then the next”
Coach Hans Kirstian Stadheim tips ANDREW MUSGRAVE for the top ahead of the Scot’s bid for a medal at the Winter Olympics tomorrow.
The space-age suits responsible for the rapid times set by the British skeleton team in practice at the Winter Olympics have been cleared for take-off despite complaints from rival teams.
The suit, which uses fabric technology and materials developed by the same British company, Totalsim, responsible for the kit worn by the all-conquering British track cycling team, is ultimately the result of scientific research carried out in conjunction with the British Institute of Sport.
Ahead of the men’s competition, which starts today, the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation validated its use. “The ISBF checked the race suits of the British skeleton team. There were no rule violations at the presented suits,” a spokesperson said.
The statement did nothing to settle the unrest elsewhere. American Katie Uhlaender, who finished fourth behind Lizzie Yarnold in Sochi four years ago, said: “I’m not a scientist, I just know that I was trying to get a suit of the same quality and I was told that it was illegal, and now it’s legal. I just want to know can the rest of us then do the same thing.”
Chief Executive of the American team, Darrin Steele, believes the furore over the suits, which followed the publication of a story in The Guardian newspaper outlining the aerodynamic properties of the revolutionary kit, isallarusecreatedbythebritishteam to distract their opponents.
“Athletes from various nations are talking about the British suits instead of focusing on the upcoming races,” he said. “A large part of this sport is mental strength. It’s about who can
“Athletes are talking about the British suits instead of focusing on the upcoming races... it’s a smart strategic move by the British team” DARRIN STEELE
throw down despite distractions, and we’ll see who comes out on top over these next few days. The timing of the article was perfect and a smart strategic move by the British team.”
Meanwhile the times keep tumbling. Both Laura Dees and Lizzie Yarnold have failed to challenge the podium this season, yet yarn old went third quickest yesterday in a time of 52.48 seconds.
On the men’s team, Dom Parson has shot from outside the world’s top ten to a genuine gold medal prospect, posting the quickest time in practice at the start of the week.
Team-mate Jerry Rice, who was eighth quickest, said: “It doesn’t bother me. People can speculate as much as they’d like. The fact of the matter is that the British guys are fast because we’re good at sliding, no other reason. We’re innovators, we do everything we can to be as fast as we can be.”
Team GB confirmed that the suits were discussed at a meeting of the team captains yesterday and issued the following statement. “We are confident that all competition equipment meets the technical and commercial requirements for every sport and discipline. We do not comment on specific technical aspects of equipment prior to competition.”