Sunday 29 November 2015 10:58, UK
Welsh racer Laura Deas won the opening skeleton World Cup race of the season in the German resort of Altenberg.
Deas' aggregate time of one minute 57.84 seconds was four hundredths of a second quicker than home favourite Tina Hermann as the 27-year-old took the limelight in the absence of Lizzy Yarnold.
The Olympic gold medallist is taking a year-long break from the sport but Deas, second in Calgary and third in St Moritz last season, stepped up to keep Britain's success going.
"It's a dream start! Last year was a breakthrough season for me and I've been saying all summer that I just want to kick on and keep improving," said the former professional event rider.
"The feeling of standing on the podium twice last season was something special but to be on top of it this time takes things to another level."
Donna Creighton was 11th on her return to the World Cup circuit. Dom Parsons, Ed Smith and David Swift will compete for Britain in Saturday's men's race.
