Team GB Achieves Historic Winter Olympics Success

Three golds and a record-equalling medal haul mark a turning point for the nation's winter sports program.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Team GB has achieved its most successful Winter Olympics ever, winning three gold medals and equaling its record medal haul of five. Snowboarders Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale won the nation's first Olympic gold on snow, while skeleton racer Matt Weston and the mixed team curling squad also took top honors. While there were several agonizing fourth-place finishes, the overall performance has been hailed as a watershed moment that will propel British winter sports forward ahead of the 2030 Games.

Why it matters

Team GB's historic performance at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics marks a significant turning point for the nation's winter sports program. After years of underachievement, the medal haul has proven that Britain can compete with the best in the world on snow and ice, raising hopes for even greater success in the future.

The details

Team GB won a total of five medals at the Milan-Cortina Games, equaling its previous best from 2014 and 2018. The highlight was three gold medals - the first time Britain has won more than one gold at a single Winter Olympics. Skeleton racer Matt Weston kicked off the golden run, while snowboarders Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale won the mixed team snowboard cross event. The men's curling team also claimed silver, and freestyle skier Zoe Atkin took bronze in the halfpipe.

  • On the penultimate night of competition, the men's curling team - skipped by Bruce Mouat - won their second successive Olympic silver.
  • On the final day of competition, freestyle skier Zoe Atkin wrapped up Team GB's Games with a bronze medal in the halfpipe.

The players

Matt Weston

A British skeleton racer who won the men's skeleton title, the first individual gold medal for Team GB at a Winter Olympics.

Charlotte Bankes

A British snowboarder who won the mixed team snowboard cross event, giving Team GB its first Olympic gold medal on snow.

Huw Nightingale

A British snowboarder who won the mixed team snowboard cross event alongside Charlotte Bankes, giving Team GB its first Olympic gold medal on snow.

Bruce Mouat

The skip of the British men's curling team, who won their second successive Olympic silver medal.

Zoe Atkin

A British freestyle skier who won a bronze medal in the halfpipe event, wrapping up Team GB's most successful Winter Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“These Games have been amazing, and a history-making Games. This Games has really proven that we are capable, that we have so much potential, and we're growing. We're a growing winter nation, which is really exciting.”

— Eve Muirhead, Team GB chef de mission (BBC Sport)

“Fourths make champions. We are fourth in the world. Kirsty's from Aberdeen, she started on the dry slopes. Mia started on the dry slopes in Manchester and then look where they've got to. We should be utterly proud of what we've achieved here.”

— Vicky Gosling, GB Snowsport chief executive (BBC Sport)

“I think because of the depth and breadth across so many sports and disciplines, it shows that we are not a one-trick pony. We're mixing it with the very best in winter sport. I think we can be really excited about what we've achieved.”

— Kate Baker, UK Sport's director of performance (BBC Sport)

What’s next

The British Olympic Association and individual sports will now begin post-Games reviews to assess the performance and plan for the 2030 Winter Olympics. Funding for the next four-year cycle will also be confirmed and announced in the summer.

The takeaway

Team GB's historic success at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics has proven that the nation can compete with the best in the world on snow and ice, marking a significant turning point for British winter sports. With a wealth of young talent coming through, the future looks bright for Team GB as they set their sights on even greater achievements at the 2030 Games.