Lizzy Yarnold was left toasting a job a well done after the Olympic champion kickstarted her World Cup defence in style in Lake Placid, USA.
Yarnold, who has been nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year for her Sochi heroics, was making her competitive return since starring in Sochi.
And the 26-year-old didn’t disappoint, posting the two fastest times as she recorded 1:51.13 minutes, 0.77 seconds ahead of Canadian Elisabeth Vathje who impressed on her World Cup debut, while the podium was completed by third-placed Janine Flock of Austria.
It was the ideal start for Yarnold who will once again be looking to finish top of the pile this World Cup season, however she admitted to feeling the pressure in the build up to her opening gambit.
“I love being here in Lake Placid but with it being the start of the season I was a bit apprehensive that I wouldn’t be quick enough - that I wouldn’t be able to think quick enough,” she said.
“These younger athletes are so fast, so I knew I had to bring my best performance today, which I did.”
Elsewhere in the women’s event, Rose McGrandle, who qualified for the World Cup with three podium finishes in three Intercontinental Cup races in November, was also in fine form as she finished sixth with a time of 1:52.50 minutes.
And Laura Deas finished in 12th place in the first World Cup race of her career, the 25-year old showing the quality of her push in both of her runs as she was just 0.06 seconds off the start record in her second heat .
In a men’s event that was dominated by the Latvian brothers, Martins & Tomass Dukurs, Dominic Parsons, who finished in the top-10 at his first Olympic Games in Sochi earlier this year, was 14th in an overall time of 1:49.84.
While Martins and Tomass Dukurs took gold and silver respectively, American Matthew Antoine claiming bronze, there was plenty more for Great Britain to celebreate as Ed Smith, who also qualified via the Intercontinental Cup, placed 18th.
© Sportsbeat 2014