Skeleton coaches extend stay

The ice coaches behind British Skeleton’s gold medal success at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games have signed on for more of the same through to 2030.

Martins Dukurs and James Howard helped Matt Weston and Tabby Stoecker become Olympic Champions in Cortina in February and have since extended their contracts through to the next Games in the French Alps in four years’ time.

Their decisions to recommit to the team follow the news that British Skeleton’s Head Coach from the 2026 cycle, Matthias Guggenberger, has also signed on for four more years in an expanded role that now covers the British Bobsleigh team, too.

“We’re delighted to be keeping our core ice coaching team together after such a successful Olympic Games,” said the BBSA’s Executive Performance Director, Natalie Dunman.

“While it is the athletes who take to the ice, there is a team of people alongside them who play a huge role in their success.

Martins and Jimmy were instrumental in the double Olympic gold medal winning moments in Milan Cortina in February and Matt and Tabby were quick to praise them in the immediate aftermath.

“They both have outstanding relationships with the athletes and other staff and their combination of expertise, attitude and desire to see the athletes fulfil their potential is a key part of what makes our team so special.

“Martins is widely considered the world’s greatest ever slider but he is fast building a reputation as an equally impressive coach, while Jimmy’s progression over the past Olympic cycle, both as an ice coach and as our development lead, has been clear for all to see.

“Having them commit their futures to the BBSA for the next Olympic cycle is a big boost for everyone here and you could see that in the reactions of the athletes when they found out the news.”

Martins Dukurs helped Matt Weston win double Olympic gold

“We reached some of our targets over the last four years but there is still lots more to achieve,” said Dukurs, who has been particularly influential in Weston and Marcus Wyatt’s consistent successes since 2022.

The new cycle brings new goals - goals that will be challenging but that we can reach.

“I’m motivated to be better - and so is the team - so I’m looking forward to jumping into the next few seasons.”

“The last Olympic cycle was a really special one - winning two gold medals at the Games was an historic moment and one I was really proud to be a part of,” added Howard, who worked closely with Stoecker, Amelia Coltman and Freya Tarbit over the last cycle.

The reason I was so happy to extend my contract, though, is that I believe there’s more to come.

“I don’t feel like the team have peaked. We’ve got athletes who have the potential to develop even further over the next four years, and that’s an exciting place to be as a coach.”

James Howard is staying with the BBSA until 2030

As well as retaining Dukurs and Howard, the BBSA are appointing Ivo Palkans as an additional ice coach with a specific focus on the pipeline of talent looking to challenge for Olympic places in 2030 and 2034.

Palkans previously spent five years as the Head Coach of the Swiss team, having held the same role with the Canadians for four years through to the 2018 Olympics in South Korea. He also worked closely with Dukurs during the latter’s time as a slider and was part of the Latvian set up as National Team Driving coach when Martins won Olympic silver in Vancouver in 2010.

“Ivo joins us with a really strong reputation and lots of elite level experience and we’re excited to bring him on board,” added Dunman.

We believe Ivo is the right fit for the team and will play a big role in developing the next generation of sliders looking to follow in Matt and Tabby’s footsteps.

“Getting our coaching structure in place in good time ahead of the new cycle is really important as it gives new staff time to settle in and build relationships with athletes and colleagues and it gives the team as whole clarity and confidence before we start the season. We have built something really successful but we know that we can’t stand still if we want to keep on winning.”

“My goal is to help create an environment where athletes can continue to develop and perform at their best,” added Palkans.

“British Skeleton has consistently produced world-class results, and I look forward to contributing my experience to support the athletes and coaching team as we work towards future success.”