Medals update: Hannah Neise wins Germany’s first gold medal in women’s skeleton at Beijing 2022 

Hannah Neise overcame early jitters to become the first woman to win a skeleton gold medal for Germany at the Olympic Winter Games, sliding to victory at the National Sliding Centre at Beijing 2022 on Saturday (12 February).

The 21-year-old Neise had a minor hiccup in her first of four heats but regained composure to clock the fastest times in the remaining three runs for a combined winning time of 4:07.62.

Australia’s Jaclyn Narracott was the leader at the halfway mark, with Neise finding her groove in Saturday’s last two runs to edge her into second place. Narracott, however, was thrilled with silver in a time of 4:08.24, Australia’s first-ever medal in this discipline, with Kimberley Bos (4:08.46) producing a blistering final run to leapfrog Germany’s Tina Hermann for the bronze.

Less than a month ago, Narracott had not even claimed a medal at world level after eight years on the circuit. Then, in mid-January she let go of the need for the validation of a medal and voila, she claimed World Cup gold in St Moritz, Switzerland, great preparation for her Beijing 2022 podium.

It is the first time since Torino 2006 that the Olympic title does not land in the hands of Great Britain, who dominated the top step of the podium over the last three editions.

"I felt very confident, especially today. I don't know how to describe it. I worked a lot on my mental health and it was on point today," Neise said.

"It means a lot, especially for skeleton sliders. We haven't had so many medals the past years, and we are very proud to represent our country and our federation. It's a step forward for us."

Germany confirmed their sliding sports hegemony winning all gold medals on offer so far in the sliding sports across the luge and skeleton events in Beijing 2022.

Women’s skeleton results:

1- Hannah Neise (GER) – 4:07.62

2- Jaclyn Narracott (AUS) – 4:08.24

3- Kimberley Bos (NED) – 4:08.46