Winter Olympian Deas calls time on her career

Wrexham-born skeleton ace looks back on glittering achievements

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OLYMPIC medalist Laura Deas has called time on a glittering skeleton career that began back in 2009 and featured more than 120 races for Great Britain.

Wrexham racer Deas won Olympic bronze in PyeongChang in 2018, making history in South Korea as she and teammate Lizzy Yarnold became the first British Winter Olympians to stand on a medal podium together in an individual event.

‘The 36-year-old won no fewer than 23 international medals, including World Cup gold in Altenberg in 2015 and World Championship silver in the team event with Matt Weston in St Moritz in 2023.

She finishes her GB career with seven World Cup medals in all, with her most recent podium place coming when she won silver in Sigulda in her last ever competitive race in February 2023.

“It’s been an amazing journey and I'm retiring with some incredible memories,’ said Deas, who took a break from the sport ahead of the birth of her daughter in April 2024.

“PyeongChang is the obvious highlight but it’s not just about the medal and the history for Team GB: so many of our friends and family and British supporters were able to be out there so it was just the most incredible atmosphere at the finish line.

“That craziness when Lizzy and I realised we'd both got medals, the celebrations that erupted were just bonkers - it really felt like it was Team GB's party.

“Looking across the outline and seeing a sea of Union flags and so many familiar faces will always be etched in my mind. That was so special.

“There are also two big moments at either end of my career that I’ll really remember, too.