Lizzy Yarnold: The skeleton star who transformed Britain's Winter Olympic fortunes

Britain is not a country associated with winter sports. Whether it’s down to the lack of snow or ski resorts, British Winter Olympians are few and far between.

In total, 50 athletes have travelled to Beijing to represent Team GB in the next edition of the Games, which get underway tomorrow.

They will be looking to upset the odds and place on the podium, following in the footsteps of just 32 British athletes before them. There will be one star in particular who they will be hoping to emulate – Lizzy Yarnold, Britain’s most successful Winter Olympian.

After clinching a gold medal in the women’s skeleton at Sochi 2014, Yarnold became the first member of Team GB to successfully defend a Winter Olympic title, triumphing once again at PyeongChang 2018.

Yarnold didn’t just make British history, however. She is also the most successful Olympic skeleton athlete of all time from any nation.

How did a girl who grew up in the Home Counties become one of the best skeleton athletes in history? GiveMeSport Women details her journey.

Given she did not grow up near snow or ice, it is easy to understand why a young Yarnold did not harbour dreams of becoming Britain’s most successful Winter Olympian.

Instead, Yarnold had her eye on the Summer Olympics, becoming a heptathlete after watching Denise Lewis earn a gold medal at Sydney 2000.

Having shown an aptitude for sport, Yarnold took part in UK Sport’s Girls4Gold talent search scheme in 2008.

She was among 900 athletes to attend the first testing phase, and after being considered for a range of sports, became just one of four athletes to join British Skeleton’s national programme.

Yarnold began competing in 2010, winning her first official race in the Europa Cup at Igls in November. Over