Britain’s women’s skeleton team made a resounding statement at the Milan Cortina Olympics, as all three athletes—Tabby Stoecker, Freya Tarbit, and Amelia Coltman—finished in the top 10 during their Olympic debuts at the Cortina Sliding Centre on February 15, 2026. Though hopes were high for a podium finish, the trio’s collective performance marked a proud milestone for British skeleton and hinted at a bright future for the program.
Tabby Stoecker led the British charge, completing her four runs in a total time of 3:50.48 to secure fifth place overall. Entering the competition with momentum after a bronze medal at the World Cup just a month prior, Stoecker started strong, holding fifth place after the initial heats and trailing event leader Janine Flock by just 0.53 seconds. However, the third run proved challenging—her time slipped, and she ultimately finished 1.46 seconds behind Flock, narrowly missing out on a medal.
“To get to the Olympics in the first place is such an honour,” Stoecker reflected after her final run. “Then to compete and to just do my very best, I’m just feeling really, really proud of myself, the team, of the girls and of the boys yesterday.” Her words captured the spirit of achievement that permeated Team GB’s skeleton camp, especially as her teammate Matt Weston had clinched gold in the men’s event a day earlier, becoming Olympic champion on February 14, 2026.
Freya Tarbit, finishing just three-tenths of a second behind Stoecker in seventh place, echoed the sense of camaraderie and collective pride. “I don’t think many people can say they’ve got to go to their first Olympics with their best friends, so it just adds to the whole experience. This is all our first Games and we’ve all finished in the top ten, I think that’s something we’ve been really, really proud of,” Tarbit said. Her performance was consistent throughout the heats, and like her teammates, she savored the moment of representing her country on the sport’s biggest stage.
Amelia Coltman, the third member of the British contingent, delivered a strong final run to finish ninth overall. She admitted that her earlier runs weren’t her best but was pleased to end on a positive note. “I am just pleased that I have positive feelings to take away from the race because it wasn’t my best three runs before that, but I’m really happy to end on a positive note,” Coltman remarked. The trio’s results—fifth, seventh, and ninth—underscored the depth of talent within the British skeleton program.
At the top of the leaderboard, Austria’s Janine Flock captured gold, maintaining her edge from the first heat and finishing 1.46 seconds ahead of Stoecker. Germany’s Susanne Kreher and Jacqueline Pfeifer rounded out the podium, taking silver and bronze respectively. Flock, already a respected figure in the sport, was described by Stoecker as “a bit of an inspiration, always kind and helpful with sliding and everything else. To see her succeed today is just inspiring.”
The British women’s performances were made even more impressive by the context of their Olympic debuts. All three were navigating the pressures and excitement of their first Games, yet managed to deliver top-10 finishes against a field stacked with seasoned veterans. For Stoecker, the journey to Cortina was the culmination of a four-year cycle of preparation and hard work. “The Olympics is at the end of this four-year cycle where we’ve been preparing and working really hard with the team,” she said, emphasizing the dedication required to reach this level.
Momentum for British skeleton was already high, thanks in part to Matt Weston’s historic gold in the men’s event the previous day. Weston’s victory was a major boost for the team, and his success set the stage for the women’s strong showing. The British camp was abuzz with excitement, not just for their individual achievements, but for what lay ahead: the debut of the mixed team event at the Olympics.
Stoecker and Tarbit were both slated to compete in the mixed team event scheduled for Sunday, February 16, 2026. Stoecker would partner with Weston, while Tarbit would race alongside Marcus Wyatt, another standout in the British men’s squad. The anticipation for the team event was palpable. “Going into the team race with either of them is just going to be amazing,” Stoecker said, expressing her admiration for her teammates’ performances and the unique opportunity to compete together on the Olympic stage.
For the British skeleton program, the results in Cortina signaled a new era of promise. The collective top-10 finishes from Stoecker, Tarbit, and Coltman provided a tangible measure of progress and offered a glimpse into the team’s potential for future Games. Tarbit summed up the mood: “It shows that British skeleton is in a great place right now.” The athletes credited their coaches, support staff, and each other for the positive environment that helped them thrive under pressure.
While none of the British women reached the podium this time, their performances were celebrated as victories in their own right—evidence of a program on the rise and a testament to the value of teamwork, perseverance, and mutual support. The camaraderie among the athletes was evident, with each drawing inspiration from their peers, especially from figures like Flock who have set high standards both on and off the ice.
As the sliding events continued at the Cortina Sliding Centre, the British skeleton team looked ahead with optimism. The mixed team event promised another opportunity to showcase their skills and perhaps deliver more memorable moments for Team GB. With the foundation laid by this year’s breakout performances, the future of British skeleton appears brighter than ever.
The Olympic dream may have ended just shy of the medal podium for Stoecker, Tarbit, and Coltman, but their achievements in Cortina have already left a lasting impact on the sport back home. As the next generation of British sliders watches on, inspired by their heroes’ resilience and passion, it’s clear that the story of British skeleton is far from over.