Laura Deas, one of Great Britain's most prominent skeleton athletes and a Winter Olympic bronze medallist, has announced her retirement from competitive sport. With over a decade of international racing experience and a key role in Team GB's historic sliding success, Deas leaves behind a powerful legacy of resilience, speed, and national pride.
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Winter Olympic Skeleton Roots and Rapid Rise
Unlike many of her peers, Laura Deas didn't grow up with Winter Olympic skeleton in mind. A talented equestrian in her early years, Deas transitioned into skeleton after attending a UK Sport talent identification program in 2009. It was part of the “Girls4Gold” campaign—an initiative aimed at discovering future female Olympic talent across less mainstream sports. Her background in riding translated surprisingly well to the high-speed, high-precision demands of Winter Olympic skeleton, where balance, control, and mental toughness are critical.
Just five years after first touching a sled, Deas made her international debut on the Intercontinental Cup circuit. Her rapid progression was fueled by a relentless work ethic and the same fearless mindset that had help her master challenging show jumping courses in her youth. You Can Read Winter Olympic 2026: Mystique Ro Overcomes Injury in 2024–25 IBSF Olympic Skeleton World Cup Comeback
Career Highlights and Olympic Glory
Deas made her World Cup debut in 2014 and quickly became a fixture on the international circuit. She collected numerous top-ten finishes and World Cup podiums, often competing against the dominant German and Canadian squads. Her breakthrough moment came at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, where she won bronze alongside teammate Lizzy Yarnold, who defended her Olympic title in gold-medal fashion.
It was a historic moment for British sport: two medals in one Winter Olympic skeleton event, with Yarnold and Deas standing side by side on the podium. The achievement confirmed Team GB's reputation as a global sliding powerhouse, despite the UK lacking a domestic track. Deas' medal not only validated years of personal sacrifice but also inspired a new generation of sliders. I still remember that feeling at the finish line, Deas said later. It was pure disbelief and joy. All the early mornings, the ice burns, the injuries—they were all worth it in that moment.
The 2022 Beijing Games and Later Career
While Deas continue to compete at a high level after PyeongChang, the years leading up to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics were mark by challenges. Injuries, equipment struggles, and the lingering effects of COVID-19 protocols disrupted her rhythm. Nevertheless, she qualified for her second Olympic Games and carried the British flag in skeleton with pride, finishing 19th overall.
Though the result didn't match her PyeongChang podium, her presence at Beijing symbolized the grit and longevity of her career. Making it to another Olympics was a win in itself, Deas noted afterward. The sport has evolved, and so have I.
She continued competing on the IBSF World Cup circuit through the 2023–24 season before quietly stepping away to evaluate her future. On July 23, 2025, Deas officially announced her retirement via British Winter Olympic Bobsleigh & Skeleton Association (BBSA) channels, prompting an outpouring of tributes from teammates, coaches, and international rivals.
Impact on Team GB Winter Olympic Skeleton
British skeleton has long punched above its weight. Since Winter Olympic skeleton returned to the Olympic program in 2002, Team GB has medalled in every Games. Athletes like Shelley Rudman, Amy Williams, Lizzy Yarnold, and Laura Deas have built a legacy of excellence on borrowed ice.
Deas' retirement signals the end of an era, but it also opens space for new voices. With the Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026 on the horizon, younger sliders such as Brogan Crowley, Tabby Stoecker, and Amelia Coltman are aiming to carry the torch. Many of them cite Deas as a role model.
Laura taught us how to handle pressure, said Stoecker in a recent interview. She always had this calmness, this ability to focus when it mattered. That's something I try to emulate every time I race. BBSA performance director Natalie Dunman echoed this sentiment. Laura's legacy goes far beyond her medal. She has mentored teammates, helped develop talent pathways, and always brought professionalism to our program. She will be miss, but her impact is lasting.
Winter Olympic Skeleton Subheading: A Sport of Margins and Mind Games
Winter Olympic Skeleton is often described as the most mentally demanding of the sliding sports. Athletes hurtle head-first down icy tracks at speeds exceeding 80 mph with minimal protection. Races are often decided by hundredths of a second, and any mistake—however slight—can cost a podium. In this environment, Deas' consistency and resilience made her stand out. While she may not have racked up dozens of wins, she remained a threat on any track, adapting to changes in ice, equipment, and coaching systems.
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She was the ultimate competitor, said former coach Eric Bernotas. Laura always prepared like a champion. You knew she was going to execute the plan, whether it was Altenberg or St. Moritz. Her approach reflected a blend of scientific rigor and deep self-belief. Deas worked closely with sport psychologists and strength coaches to refine her mental game, often journaling or using visualization techniques before key races. Her attention to detail became a benchmark within the British team.
Advocating for Athlete Welfare and the Future of Winter Olympic Skeleton
With her competitive career behind her, Deas is now looking to give back to the sport in new ways. She has hinted at coaching, mentoring, or even working in athlete welfare or governance. Sliding changed my life, she said in her retirement message. Now I want to help others find their path—whether it's on ice or beyond.
She's also passionate about the visibility of women in high-performance sport. As one of the few female Winter Olympic skeleton athletes to sustain a long career across multiple Olympic cycles, Deas has spoken openly about the challenges of maintaining form, funding, and mental health.
In interviews over the years, she's advocated for more support structures for athletes transitioning out of elite sport—something she believes is essential for long-term success and well-being. Too often, we're trained to ignore pain or pressure, Deas once said. But the best athletes—and people—learn when to push and when to protect themselves.
A Legacy Beyond the Podium in Skeleton
As the curtain falls on Laura Deas' sliding career, she leaves behind not only a bronze medal but also an enduring impression on British and global Winter Olympic skeleton. Her story is one of adaptation, perseverance, and quiet leadership—qualities that often go unnoticed but make all the difference on the world stage.
Her name will forever be etched in Team GB's Olympic history, but perhaps more importantly, her values will continue to shape the culture of Winter Olympic skeleton for years to come. In a sport where margins are razor-thin and longevity is rare, Laura Deas proved that greatness isn't just about speed—it's about staying the course, through every twist, turn, and finish line.
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