Team GB is embarking on its most ambitious Winter Olympic campaign to date, setting its sights on a record-breaking eight medals at next month's Games in Milan-Cortina. Officials from UK Sport have declared the target for what they believe could be "the greatest performance we have ever seen at a winter Games."
Ambitious Targets Backed by World-Class Talent
The confidence stems from a significant upswing in results over the current Olympic cycle. Britain's previous best Winter Games haul stands at five medals, achieved in both Sochi 2014 and Pyeongchang 2018. The 2022 Beijing Games yielded just two curling medals, but the landscape has transformed dramatically.
Dr Kate Baker, UK Sport's director of performance and people, revealed the organisation is projecting a haul of four to eight medals from the Olympic Winter Games, plus a further two-to-five from the Paralympics. "The dead centre of that range will represent the greatest performance we have ever seen at a Winter Games," Baker stated, highlighting that British athletes have secured 21 world championship medals in this cycle, compared to just eight before Beijing.
Britain's Medal Contenders Across Snow and Ice
The squad travelling to Italy is packed with genuine podium prospects. Leading the charge on snow is Mia Brookes, the reigning snowboard slopestyle world champion. She is joined by Zoe Atkin, the freeski halfpipe world champion.
Other strong hopes include Kirsty Muir in freeski slopestyle and big air, and Charlotte Bankes in the fiercely competitive snowboard cross. On the ice, the skeleton team is a major force, with Matt Weston consistently topping the world rankings and Marcus Wyatt sitting third globally.
In curling, teams skipped by Bruce Mouat in both the men's and mixed disciplines are considered strong medal contenders. Furthermore, ice dancers Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson, who won a world bronze medal in March 2025, are aiming to secure Britain's first figure skating Olympic medal since the legendary Torvill and Dean in 1984.
Meticulous Preparation for High-Stakes Games
Team GB's chef de mission, Eve Muirhead OBE, emphasised the thorough groundwork done for the 2026 Games. "We've been meticulous in our preparations for Milano-Cortina 2026," said the former curling Olympic champion. "I know first-hand the difference the right environment can make, and our focus has been on creating the conditions that allow athletes to deliver when it matters most."
Dr Baker acknowledged the inherent "jeopardy" of Winter Games but praised the extraordinary progress, particularly among female athletes on snow. "What we are achieving in the winter-based sports is extraordinary for Great Britain," she said. "We are heading to Italy as a credible force across more disciplines than ever before."
