Matt Weston has positioned himself as the gold medal favorite in skeleton after smashing the track record at the Winter Olympics in Cortina. The two-time world champion clocked 55.88 seconds in his second run, adding to his opening 56.21 seconds to build a commanding 0.30-second lead.

Weston's performance came after a frustrating first run where he hit the wall near the top of the track. Under pressure from German sliders, he delivered a cleaner second run, shaving 0.33 seconds off his opening time. His total of 1:52.09 puts him in prime position heading into Friday's final two heats.

Compatriot Marcus Wyatt sits seventh, 0.66 seconds outside medal contention, while German sliders Axel Jungk and Christopher Grotheer occupy second and third. With skeleton medals often decided by hundredths of a second, Weston's advantage is significant. The British slider, who considered quitting after a 15th-place finish in Beijing, now looks poised to deliver Team GB's first medal of these Games.