Ed Smith gave a timely reminder of his talents as he finished as the top Brit at the last skeleton World Cup before the Olympic qualifying window slams shut.
Smith, along with three-time Olympian Kristan Bromley and Dom Parsons, have been the three Brits throughout the World Cup season, which has now taken in six venues and seven races.
And Smith saved his best until the very last in Igls in Austria, staging a remarkable comeback to record a season’s best finish of tenth to place as the highest of the three Brits.
Smith was the lowest of the three Brits after the first run in 16th but produced the sixth quickest time second time out to jump into the top ten for the first time this season.
However his poor early season form could count against him with Parsons, who won World Cup bronze in Calgary, 11th in Igls and producing a fight back himself as he placed 15th after the first run.
Parsons went tenth quickest in run two to place 11th while Kristan Bromley went the other way – tenth after run one he dropped to 18th overall after posting the 19th fastest time second time out.
With the Olympic qualifying window about to shut and Britain’s selectors meeting on Sunday, Parsons is the highest placed Brit in the FIBT rankings in 13th while Bromley is second best in 14th.
Smith is down in 30th, one place behind David Swift who has been competing on the Intercontinental Cup circuit, with Britain only likely to get two men’s places for Sochi 2014.
© Sportsbeat 2014