Britain defended the legality of their skinsuits after coming under fire from a former world champion on the eve of the Winter Olympics skeleton competition.
Sochi 2014 gold medallist Lizzy Yarnold and team-mate Laura Deas demonstrated their medal potential at the Olympic Sliding Centre in Pyeongchang as underwhelming World Cup seasons were forgotten.
Rival competitors have raised objections to Britain’s equipment, though, in particular the skinsuit technology which has been previously used by British Cycling.
United States’ Katie Uhlaender, the 2012 world champion, said: “A lot of athletes and coaches have questioned whether the suit was legal.
“I think this has been a question posed to Great Britain in the last two Olympics, starting in 2010 with Amy Williams and her helmet and suit. I’m not a scientist. I just know that I was trying to get a suit of the same quality and I was told it was illegal. And now it’s legal.
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“It’s like Amy’s helmet in 2010. In my opinion that helmet was illegal.”
The issue was expected to be raised at the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation captains’ meeting on Wednesday evening, prior to the two-day men’s competition beginning on Thursday. The women’s event starts a day later and concludes on Saturday.
British Skeleton performance director Andi Schmid was expected to attend the meeting, but Team GB are confident officials have already cleared the skinsuits for use.
A Team GB spokesperson said: “We are confident that all competition equipment meets the technical and commercial requirements for every sport and discipline.
“We do not comment on specific technical aspects of equipment prior to competition.”
Uhlaender referred to the helmet Williams used in Vancouver, which was the subject of an unsuccessful protest after the competition had concluded.
The American, who could be promoted to Sochi 2014 bronze behind Yarnold after the disqualification of Russia’s Elena Nikitina, admitted questioning rivals’ equipment was a necessary part of preparations.
“It’s the part game. If you see something that is questionable then it’s OK to ask,” Uhlaender added.
“The rules state that everyone is supposed to have access to the same equipment as far as helmets and speed suits go and not have any aerodynamic attachments on the helmet or suit.
“I would rather ask the question now than during the race, just get it out of the way and make sure everyone’s on the same playing field.”
Skeleton hopefuls Deas, Yarnold and Dominic Parsons are wearing new hi-tech skinsuits. All three athletes have recorded impressive times in trials.
Britain have won skeleton medals at the last four Olympics and Deas is convinced she can add to the honours board.
“We’ve done it before and it just adds to the belief that we can do it again,” she said.
