Winter Olympics 2018: Lizzy Yarnold unsure of plans after becoming Britain’s most successful Winter Olympian

Two-time Olympic gold medallist said that defending her Olympic title was ‘awesome’ after sliding to victory

Matt McGeehan
Pyeongchang
Sunday 18 February 2018 05:37 EST
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Lizzy Yarnold is unsure of her plans after successfully defending her Olympic title
Lizzy Yarnold is unsure of her plans after successfully defending her Olympic title (Getty)

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Lizzy Yarnold will take time to consider her future after becoming Great Britain's most decorated Winter Olympian.

The 29-year-old won a second successive women's skeleton title in Pyeongchang on Saturday night as team-mate Laura Deas took bronze on an historic day for British winter sport.

Yarnold took a year-long sabbatical in 2016 to be refreshed for Pyeongchang, where she has become the first Briton to successfully defend a Winter Olympic title, and Beijing 2022 may be a step too far, prompting retirement.

But Yarnold would not be drawn on the matter on Sunday.

"I think I'll take a break. I need to get over my chest infection first. I'll take a break and get back to you," she said.

Now the most decorated British Winter Olympian - above Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, and Jeanette Altwegg, who have one gold medal and one bronze each in figure skating - Yarnold reflected on her achievement.

"As each minute passes it becomes more of a reality, but it still is an unbelievable series of events, of everything just coming together," added Yarnold, who was set to receive her medal on Sunday evening.

"There's a whole dream of if everything goes right... 'if I do this, if I get this corner, if that transfers, if the speed comes', everything will work magically'.

"I guess now it's just relief that everything did go to plan.

"When I have the medal in my hands, then it will be absolutely real."

Yarnold was the flag bearer at the opening ceremony here, after carrying the flag at the closing ceremony four years earlier.

And she is astounded by realising her dream.

She added: "It's a massive, massive honour. It was a big dream to challenge myself to try to defend my title after Sochi.

"Well, initially I wanted to be world champion and European champion and I managed that with Eric (Bernotas), my coach.

"And now together to win another Olympic title is just awesome."

PA

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