SKELETON: Rudman crowned World Cup champion
11:40pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in Sport By Owen Houlihan
Shelley Rudman completes her first run in Calgary on her way to winning her first World Cup title
SHELLEY Rudman was tonight crowned women's Skeleton World Cup champion in Canada.
The 30-year-old Pewsey slider clinched her first World Cup title by finishing joint third in the eighth and final round of the season in Canada.
Rudman trailed series leader Marion Thees, of Germany, by just seven points going into the final race.
But while Thees struggled, finishing down the field in 10th, Rudman shrugged off a back injury to contest the podium places and end a run of three successive runner-up finishes in the World Cup series in the last three years.
British compatriot and series newcomer Lizzy Yarnold clinched her second World Cup race win of the season, with Germany's Anja Huber in second.
Rudman shared third place with Canada's Amy Gough, picking up the points needed to clinch the overall title.
She said: "I just wanted to stick to a plan and just focus. I really wanted this (World Cup title) so badly this year.
"I lifted the sled out of my car the other day and strained my back so I was in a lot of pain but after a few days' rest I'll be fine for the World Championships (in Lake Placid) next week.''
She added on Twitter: "Still can't believe it!! I'm World Cup champion. So happy to have achieved one of my goals since starting the sport.
"Dedicating my win to my mum & dad! Real difficult year for us after dad suffered a brain haemorrhage last year. He wanted me to win the overall WC title and I said I would try. And I did! "He's doing great and fully fit, & I know today's win will make mum & dad over the moon.
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