Lizzy Yarnold has ended the first skeleton heat in first position, recording a time of 58.43s to lead the field.
The Team GB hopeful was just the second slider to take to the track, but she remained at the top of the leaderboard thanks to her track record effort. Russia's Elena Nikitina finished just 0.05 seconds outside of Yarnold's time to sit second, with three runs remaining.
Her teammate and current world champion Shelley Rudman ended the heat in 12th, with a slightly disappointing time of 59.46s.
Reporting on the run for the BBC, reigning Olympic gold medallist Amy Williams said: "Lizzy's form is perfect. Head down, feet down, shoulders together and perfect form. She's going to be happy with that. She took a little clip on the uphill section that could have lost her time."
Yarnold and Rudman will return to the track for their second runs shortly.
Joe McPhee
