GB’s Coltman wins skeleton gold in World Cup opener

Great Britain’s Amelia Coltman won World Cup women’s skeleton gold, while team-mates Marcus Wyatt and Matt Weston claimed silver and bronze in the men’s event at the series opener in Pyeongchang.

Coltman was a surprise winner, the 28-year-old capitalising on deteriorating track conditions in South Korea to claim her first medal at this level.

European champion Wyatt finished 0.15 seconds behind German winner Christopher Grotheer, who claimed victory in an overall time of one minute 46.32 seconds.

Weston, who won the overall title last season, moved on to the podium following an improved second run, while team-mate Craig Thompson finished 13th.

Slowing track conditions had an impact on the results of both events and Coltman made the most of the advantage it gave her in the women’s race.

She had never finished higher than fourth at a World Cup event, but after sitting in 15th following the first run she produced the second-fastest time in the second to win in an overall time of 1:48.41.

Coltman had trailed Austria’s Janine Flock – leader after the first heat – by 1.22secs, but the early frontrunners were unable to match her time.

Flock finished second overall, 0.08secs behind, while Brazil’s Nicole Rocha Silveira came through from 13th after the first run to claim bronze.

GB’s Freya Tarbit finished 0.02secs outside the medals in fourth, while team-mate Tabitha Stoecker fell from third place after the opening run to 18th.