Olympic champion Lizzy Yarnold heads up a six-strong squad for this month’s World Championships in Koenigssee, Germany.
Yarnold clinched the world title in 2015 – a feat that saw her complete the career Grand Slam of Olympic, World, European and World Cup titles – but was absent last year after taking time away from the sport.
She is back on the circuit this season and will be joined in the women’s competition on February 24 by Laura Deas and Donna Creighton who finished 11th and 18th respectively at last year’s World Championships in Igls.
There will also be three athletes representing Great Britain in the men’s competition on the same day with Dom Parsons, Jerry Rice and Jack Thomas all getting the nod.
For the latter two, the competition will mark their Championships debut although Parsons will be making his fourth appearance, with a tenth place finish last season.
Great Britain’s six-strong quota comes courtesy of having a trio of athletes within the top 30 ranked men and the same number within the top 25 ranked women.
“The World Championships are the showpiece event of the season and I’m delighted that we have qualified six sliders for this year’s competition,” said GB Skeleton performance advisor Andi Schmid as the team was announced on the eve of the one year to go milestone to next year’s Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang.
“The World Championships and next month’s final World Cup event in Pyeongchang have always been our primary focus this season and we are confident we can produce some good results in both events.
“Both Lizzy and Laura have been on the wider podium this season and Donna has a lot of experience at this level. Dom has been to three World Championships and has been in the top ten on each occasion, while Jerry and Jack’s performances this season have shown that they deserve their opportunity to pit themselves against the world’s best.
“We have a proud recent history at this event and we have every intention of ensuring that continues. We know that we face a tough challenge but we want to put down another good marker as we are now exactly a year away from the Winter Olympics.” Sportsbeat 2017