GB Skeleton coach Bernotas to step down after triple Olympic success

Eric Bernotas will finish as Lead Ice Coach at British Skeleton after five years with the team in March, leaving after the World Championships in Whistler.

He oversaw the success of Lizzy Yarnold in South Korea as she scooped back-to-back Olympic gold medals while also guiding Laura Deas and Dom Parsons to bronze.

The former American slider is discussing staying on with British Skeleton in a different role.

Bernotas, 47, said: "I'm committed to do what I signed up to do in the summer but I just feel that the end of the season would be a good time for a new start: it's about turning a new page to keep things fresh.

"That could look like a different role here with the team and that's something that has already been highlighted and that we'll continue discussing. There's a big part of me that's connected to what goes on here.

"By announcing my intentions now, that gives the programme time to plan so that my replacement is in place in good time for the 2019/2020 season.

"We'll be less than one year into the quad then so there is plenty of opportunity for the team to plan for the three years leading up to the next Olympics."

Interim Performance Director Natalie Dunman paid tribute to Bernotas for his contribution.

She said: "Eric has made an outstanding contribution to British Skeleton and it's not an exaggeration to say that we wouldn't be where we are today without him.

"We are incredibly grateful for Eric's efforts over the last four-and-a-half years and we are in discussions around a new role for him within the team from the end of the season.

"Eric had a major impact on the success of the team at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games - as well as the progress the programme made in between Sochi and PyeongChang - and he will do everything he can to ensure we taste more success during the rest of the season."

Sportsbeat 2018