British Skeleton head coach talent Mark Woods MBE, has left his role ©BBSA

British Skeleton's head coach talent Mark Wood has left his role, citing a decision to "pursue other opportunities" this summer, it has been announced.

British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association (BBSA) released a statement following the news, thanking 56-year-old Wood for his "outstanding contribution", which has helped skeleton become Britain’s most successful Winter Olympic Sport.

"Woody’s input into the talent programme has been invaluable and his contribution to the sport as a whole has been outstanding," British Skeleton’s performance director Andi Schmid said. 

Wood initially joined British Skeleton as a coach in July 2002.

He is credited with helping identify and develop Olympic gold medallists Amy Williams and Lizzy Yarnold, plus silver and bronze medallists Shelley Rudman and Laura Dees.

"He has helped build a sustainable and successful system and he leaves having played an important role in the success of so many British athletes," said Schmid.

"As an athlete himself, he did a lot for British Skeleton at a time when the sport was very low budget and was driven by nothing but aspiration and passion and he has continued that contribution throughout his time as a coach."

Mark Woods is credited with helping identify and develop the talent of Lizzy Yarnold, centre, and Laura Dees, right, who won gold and bronze respectively at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics ©Getty Images
Mark Woods is credited with helping identify and develop the talent of Lizzy Yarnold, centre, and Laura Dees, right, who won gold and bronze respectively at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics ©Getty Images

Earlier this month UK Sport announced their funding decisions for the next Winter Olympic cycle up to Beijing 2022.

British Skelton was given the largest share, gaining £7.2 million ($9.5 million/€8.1 million), £700,000 ($919,000/€792,000) more than they were given for Pyeongchang 2018.

Woods, who as an athlete won four British skeleton titles, claimed he is "proud" to have helped create a programme of, "accelerated learning and development that has seen British Skeleton go from the smallest of programmes with the smallest of budgets to a medal winning factory".

He added; "Being part of the team that helped Amy, Lizzy, Shelley, Laura and Dom win Olympic medals is an obvious highlight but I’m equally proud of the successes we have had further down the talent ladder.

"Helping an athlete go from hating the sport after their first few runs on the ice to having the courage to keep going and turn it into something they love is a great feeling."

Woods has thanked all those he worked with during his time at the BBSA, claiming he wishes them "the very best of luck" for the future.

The BBSA promised he will "remain a friend" of the programme.