Happy Hatton hits target

Hatton came 25th out of 48 finishers

British luger Mark Hatton twice broke the national record as he achieved his aim of a top 25 finish at the Winter Olympics.

He put in four consistent runs in the event, which saw Italian Armin Zoeggeler edge out German legend Georg Hackl for gold.

The performances meant Hatton came 25th out of 48 finishers.

Afterwards, he said: "I was pleased enough after breaking the record in my first run, but to break it again proves I am in really good shape.

Hatton broke two British records

"I really went for it on the fourth run and made a couple of mistakes as a consequence, but I've got to be pleased with a result like this."

The 28-year-old was Britain's first representative in the sport since 1994.

And he went one better than Paul Dix, who came 26th at the Lillehammer Olympics, and Hatton is aiming for a top-25 finish.

Cambridge graduate Hatton is a former semi-professional rugby player.

He took to the luge seven years ago, and has trained at Swindon ice rink because of a lack of bob tracks in the UK.