One weekend and three incredible World Cup victories saw a successful start to Team GB's 2025 on the winter circuit.
Brad Hall's four-man team clinched their first bobsleigh World Cup gold in two years on the same day that Mia Brookes clinched back-to-back Big Air victories with gold in Klagenfurt.
Earlier in the weekend, Matt Weston overtook teammate Marcus Wyatt at the top of the skeleton World Cup standings with his first victory and sixth medal of the season.
Historic victory for Team Hall
No non-German crew had won in Winterberg since 2012, until Team Hall came along.
The run has included 14 World Cup races and two World Championships over that time frame but it took until January 2025 for the crown to topple as Brad Hall's sled went quickest in both heats to begin the new year in the perfect fashion - their first World Cup victory since January 2023.
The quartet of Hall, Taylor Lawrence, Greg Cackett and Arran Gulliver had not started together in 13 months after injuries plagued their 2023/24 season but crossed the line with a combined time of 1:48.07 in Germany.
Victory saw the crew prove that they are back on top form, finishing 19 hundredths in front of reigning two-time Olympic champion Francesco Friedrich on his home ice.
“To finish in first place here is incredible," said Hall. "It’s been a very long time since anyone other than the Germans have won here.
“It was a great race. We came into it with Arran and Greg coming back from injuries and it was the first time Arran’s been on the sled since Innsbruck over a year ago.
“We’re extremely happy and we’re now hoping this is a stepping stone to being on top of the podium a few more times this season before we hit the World Championships in March."
Weston on top of the standings
Winterberg had already seen a Brit on top of the podium earlier in the week as skeleton's Matt Weston clinched his first World Cup gold on the season.
In a time of 1:53.12, the 27-year-old took his sixth medal in six events so far and overtook fellow Brit Marcus Wyatt to take the lead in the overall World Cup standings.
Weston won the crystal globe last season but was forced to settle for silver at the world and European championships, and after a taste of victory already this season, the former taekwondo athlete is ready to climb back to the top.
Arms in the air if you just won the first skeleton World Cup of 2025 🙌🥇
— Team GB (@TeamGB) January 3, 2025
That's six medals from six races for @MattWeston02 this season 🤩
📸 @IBSFsliding / Viesturs Lacis | @The_BBSA pic.twitter.com/KnMuHd95aM
"It feels good, very good! What a way to start the new year!” said Weston.
"I’ve been really consistent, with medals in every race of this season, but it’s been a while since I won gold and I desperately wanted one today. To get that in the first race after Christmas means it’s pretty much a dream start to 2025.
"I’m determined to retain my World Cup title and I want my World Championship crown back so today is a decent confidence boost."
Weston tops the overall men's skeleton standings with 1255 points, with Wyatt second with 1197.
Brookes goes back-to-back
A few weeks ago, Mia Brookes had never won a World Cup event, now she has back-to-back Big Air victories to her name.
The teenager scored 184.25 to take top spot in Klagenfurt, receiving the highest scored run across the two days of competition with 95.75 points for her cab 1440 melon.
Japan's Mari Fukada was two points behind for silver with a score of 182.25 while Momo Suzuki clinched bronze with 166.75.
Brookes' victory comes just one month after her first Big Air win in Beijing.
She said: "I’m so hyped to win this competition! It doesn’t even feel real to know I’ve just gone back-to-back. It’s crazy!"
Sportsbeat 2025