Bath golden girl Amy Williams has been named as British Skeleton's first vice-president.
The Olympic champion's new role was announced at a fundraising dinner for the sport's supporters, which raised £100k for the British team in the lead-up to Sochi 2014.
Held at Brasserie Chavot in Mayfair, the new venture between Michelin-starred French chef Eric Chavot and The Westbury Hotel, the event brought together for the first time all three of skeleton's Team GB Olympic medal winners.
The trio - Alex Coomber (bronze, Salt Lake City 2002), current world champion Shelley Rudman (silver, Turin 2006) and Williams, who struck gold at Vancouver 2010 – all spent time training at the University of Bath prior to their respective successes.
Williams said: "I'm so proud to have been asked to take up this position. Skeleton has been my life and I'm really pleased I will be able to stay involved in the sport.
"I hope my knowledge and experience can help the sport as a whole as I know there is so much potential, in the athletes, coaches and the opportunities for the governing body to grow and continue to succeed."
The date marked nine months until the next Winter Games in Russia and the start of British Skeleton's awareness raising and fundraising campaign, entitled 'Follow us, Join us, Sponsor us', which aims to attract commercial revenue to supplement the funding the sport receives from the National Lottery.
British Skeleton also unveiled triple Olympian and Citigroup investment banker Michel de Carvalho as its new president.
"We are delighted to be able to honour Amy's continuing commitment to our sport and to welcome Michel formally into the British Skeleton family," said chairman Lord Clifton Wrottesley.
"They both bring so much experience and passion for winter sport that we are very lucky to have such knowledgeable individuals helping to guide our sport.
"The night was a great celebration of our athletes and the sport and I'd like to thank everyone who made the fundraising evening such a success, it bodes well for the next 281 days to Sochi 2014."
De Carvalho added: "It is a privilege to have been asked to lead this fantastic and dynamic organisation, which has extremely talented athletes and committed, world-class coaches and staff.
"Winter sports, particularly skiing and luge have played such an important part in my life that I am delighted to be able to support British Skeleton in this way.
"Amy Williams is an outstanding athlete and a charismatic leader and it will be a pleasure to join forces as we build up to Sochi 2014."
Sotheby's Chair Lord Harry Dalmeney hosted the auction and an exclusive and limited edition British Skeleton wine was also launched at the event. In partnership with FromVineyardsDirect and produced by Charlie Sichel from Chateaux Palmer, bottles can be purchased from www.fromvineyardsdirect.com/britishskeleton for £15. All profits will go directly to support the athletes in training for next season.
