Team GB’s Matt Weston and Marcus Wyatt have been handed a blow in their hopes for gold at the Winter Olympics, with the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) banning the use of the helmets they had planned on wearing. The two have dominated the skeleton all year, making them favourites for medals in Italy.
The new helmets were trialled in San Mortiz last week, but the federation are said to have made the decision over the ban on 29 January, citing that the shape did not comply with rules based on the shape. With the competition now a matter of days away, Team GB have lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The appeal with be heard on Thursday (5 February) with a decision expected the following day (Friday, 6 February). The skeleton competition starts on Thursday, 12 February and ends the next day. Whether Weston and Wyatt will be able to wear the new innovative helmet is still to be seen.
In a statement from the Court of Arbitration, it said: “The case concerns a decision by the IBSF that the safety helmet for Team GB for Skeleton does not comply with the IBSF Skeleton rules. Filed on February 2, 2026, the appeal challenges a decision by the IBSF on January 29, 2026 stating that the helmet does not comply with the IBSF skeleton rules based on its shape. The design and manufacture of the Team GB helmet was funded by the BBSA (British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association), which they argue meets rigorous safety standards.
“BBSA requests that the CAS Ad hoc division rules that the Team GB helmet is compliant with rules and is safe to use in the Skeleton Competition at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 and future IBSF competitions. They also requested that CAS rules that the Team GB helmet is proven to be safer and more beneficial to athletes’ health and safety than any other helmets being used.”
Even without the new helmets, Weston and Wyatt have dominated the season so far, winning all seven World Cup races between them. Weston became World Champion for the second time last year, beating Wyatt by 1.9 seconds.