SHELLEY Rudman clinched her second podium finish of the FIBT World Cup season this morning - as Great Britain compatriot Lizzy Yarnold was crowned champion for the first time.

Pewsey slider Rudman finished third in a weather-curtailed final round of the series in Konigssee, Germany, which doubled as the European Championships and was the last competitive outing before next month's Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Rudman clocked 53.42 to lie in third place behind America's Noelle Pikus-Pace (52.92) and Janine Flock, of Austria (53.36).

The second scheduled run was then cancelled due to heavy snow, ensuring Flock took the European crown, with Rudman taking silver - her fifth European medal having claimed gold in 2009 and 2011, a bronze in between and silver in 2006.

Despite being down in ninth position, Bath-based Yarnold was confirmed as the overall series champion. Pikus-Pace was second overall with Rudman, who won the World Cup title in 2012, finishing third.

Yarnold becomes the third British woman to win the World Cup title after Rudman and Alex Coomber, who won three consecutive titles between 2000 and 2002.

Rudman and Yarnold were this week confirmed as Britain's sliders for next month's Olympic women's skeleton event in Sochi.

It will be the Pewsey mum of one's third Olympic Games, after winning silver on her debut in 2006.

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