Lizzy Yarnold will take time to consider her future having spent the morning after her historic second skeleton gold knitting and watching a murder mystery drama.

The 29-year-old on Saturday overcame dizzy spells and a chest infection to become the first British Winter Olympian to win successive titles.

Yarnold took a year-long sabbatical in 2016 to be refreshed for Pyeongchang and Beijing 2022 may be a step too far, prompting retirement.

Yarnold would not be drawn on the matter on Sunday.

Lizzy Yarnold won a second successive Olympics skeleton title on Saturday
Lizzy Yarnold won a second successive Olympics skeleton title on Saturday (David Davies/PA Images)

“I think I’ll take a break. I need to get over my chest infection first. I’ll take a break and get back to you,” she said.

After sliding down an icy track on the side of a South Korean mountain at 80mph and three hours of fitful sleep, Yarnold opted for more sedate pursuits on Sunday.

“I was knitting this morning and that was quite calming,” Yarnold said.

“I woke up really early as I’m not sleeping very well at the moment.

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“I didn’t really know what to do but Netflix and chill, and do a bit of knitting.

“I’m only doing strips because I can’t do a pattern, it’s too complicated.

“It’s a nice thing because my nan taught me how to knit years ago and she passed away a few years ago so it’s something I can do and feel connected to her.”

Yarnold’s choice of viewing was Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, with female detective Phryne Fisher the lead.

The slider has been a leader for Britain here, carrying the flag in the opening ceremony, just as she did at the closing one in Sochi.

Lizzy Yarnold claimed skeleton gold in Sochi in 2014 and won the same title in Pyeongchang
Lizzy Yarnold claimed skeleton gold in Sochi in 2014 and won the same title in Pyeongchang (Andrew Milligan/PA Images)

Now the most decorated British Winter Olympian – above figure skaters Jeannette Altwegg and pair Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, who have one gold medal and one bronze each – Yarnold reflected on her achievement.

“As each minute passes it becomes more of a reality, but it still is an unbelievable series of events, of everything just coming together,” added Yarnold, who was speaking before receiving her medal on Sunday evening.

“There’s a whole dream of if everything goes right… ‘if I do this, if I get this corner, if that transfers, if the speed comes, everything will work magically’.

“I guess now it’s just relief that everything did go to plan.”

Yarnold is astounded by realising her dream.

She added: “It’s a massive, massive honour. It was a big dream to challenge myself to try to defend my title after Sochi.

“Well, initially I wanted to be world champion and European champion and I managed that with Eric (Bernotas), my coach.

“And now together to win another Olympic title is just awesome.”

She advises any Olympian thinking of continuing to have a sabbatical, which is something team-mate Laura Deas is planning after her bronze.

Laura Deas, right, will take a break before contemplating continuing on to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics
Laura Deas, right, will take a break before contemplating continuing on to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics (David Davies/PA Images)

Deas, whose medal ensured Britain had two podium places in the same event for the first time in Winter Olympics history, is getting married in June, with Yarnold as bridesmaid. And the pair are planning a holiday together.

“I feel very motivated to carry on,” Deas said.

Yarnold added: “I know that Laura can get a gold medal if she carries on to Beijing. She’s a phenomenal athlete.”

Team GB at the 2018 Winter Olympics . See story OLYMPICS Skeleton.
Team GB at the 2018 Winter Olympics . See story OLYMPICS Skeleton.

The most enjoyable aspect of Yarnold’s Sochi success was the school visits to inspire children to be active, not necessarily in skeleton.

She plans further visits in the months to come, irrespective of whether she continues to compete or not.

Asked how she will replace the buzz of sliding when she eventually does quit, Yarnold added: “A couple of years ago I did a sky dive for the Mind charity and it was an amazing feeling of freedom, quite similar to skeleton.

“You’re on your way and there’s not much you can do about it, you have to hold on and hope for the best, which I absolutely loved.”