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Sochi 2014: Spotlight on Girls4Gold graduate Lizzy Yarnold

Published 13 February 2014

Lizzy’s story

Lizzy applied for the UK Sport and EIS Talent ID campaign, Girls4Gold in 2008 having never tried Skeleton before, competing as a region level heptathlete instead. Lizzy enjoyed incredible success in 2012, winning two of the four races she entered in the 2011-12 Skeleton World Cup, being crowned Junior World Champion.

Lizzy went on to claim the bronze medal at the 2012 World Championships in Lake Placid, finishing ahead of teammates Shelley Rudman and Amy Williams, and behind eventual World Champion Katie Uhlaender of the USA and silver medallist Melissa Hollingsworth of Canada.

During the 2012–13 Skeleton World Cup Lizzy took silver and bronze medals in the Park City and Whistler races respectively, ultimately earning her fourth place overall in the tournament. Lizzy has gone from strength to strength after bursting onto the international World Cup scene.

In February 2013 Lizzy again narrowly missed out on a medal, placing fourth at the World Championships in St. Moritz.

Lizzy went on to win the overall skeleton 2013/14 World Cup title with seven podium finishes in a season with fellow GB athlete Shelley Rudman in third.

Lizzy commented: "After hearing about the Girls4Gold project I really wanted to get involved although I was not sure which sport. Through the talent assessment days I was selected for Skeleton and I have not looked back. With the help of the World Class Coaches and Support Team, inside just three years I have managed to win Junior and Senior World Championship medals!"

Factfile:

DOB: 31/10/1988
Height: 5’ 8”
Hometown: Maidstone
Best results: 2013-14 overall World Cup champion, 2013 St. Moritz World Championships (4th), 2012–13 World Cup (4th), 2012 Lake Placid World Championships (3rd), 2011-12 Junior World Cup (1st)

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