Two-time Winter Olympic champion Lizzy Yarnold celebrates skeleton gold by waking up at 7am to knit
THERE was plenty of needle surrounding the skeleton competition here in PyeongChang.
Needle over British skinsuits which brought accusations of cheating.
Needle over funding of a supposedly ‘elitist’ sport.
And needle over Russian needles used in state-sponsored doping.
But now she is Britain’s greatest ever Winter Olympian, it’s all about knitting needles for Lizzy Yarnold.
After becoming our first two-time winter gold medallist on a Super Saturday which brought Team GB a hat-trick of medals, Yarnold relaxed by waking up at 7am and knitting.
She is a genuine Jekyll and Hyde character — bombing head-first down icy slopes at 80mph and also loving sky-diving. Yet she is never happier than when she has a nice cup of tea and a ball of wool.
Yarnold, 29, said: “After winning the gold, I had three hours sleep and then I was up knitting at 7am. That was quite calming.
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“I’m only knitting strips because I can’t do a pattern, it’s too complicated.
“I’m not sleeping very well at the moment so it was Netflix and chilling.
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“My nan taught me to knit. She has passed away and so it’s a way to feel connected with her.
“I’ve found it relaxing for a few years — but I’m still not very good.”
Yarnold is expected to retire but will not reveal her decision until she has had a break — including a holiday “drinking cocktails” with her close friend and bronze medallist Laura Deas.
She hopes to inspire a generation of kids — despite controversy over the skeleton’s funding compared to more ‘accessible’ sports.
The Sochi 2014 champ added: “I’m not the one who make the decision on who gets money and who doesn’t.
“I’m hugely grateful for UK Sport supporting us. But I do think we inspire people.
“After Sochi, my most important thing was visiting 300 or 400 schools. That’s certainly top of my list now — I wouldn’t pursue celebrity status.
“My gold medal is like Frodo’s ring, when you see the children’s faces light up. If I can be a role model to them that’s the most important thing.”