Rudman aiming to add further sheen to impressive medal haul

The Sheffield-based skeleton slider, who was Britain's sole medallist at the Winter Olympics in Turin in 2006, finished fourth in the eighth and final round of the 2009-10 World Cup at Iglis, which – with the previous round – also doubled as the 2010 European Championships.

That was enough to seal her a World Cup silver medal for the second successive season, and she also finished third in the European Championships to add a bronze to her collection.

To complete the set by winning Olympic gold at Whistler next month, Rudman will have to overcome Canada's Mellisa Hollingsworth, who pipped her to World Cup gold yesterday.

"I would like to say a huge well done to Mellisa for winning the World Cup. Now watch out," warned Rudman last night.

"I am over the moon with fourth place and a bronze medal in the Europeans and silver in the overall World Cup, especially in Iglis where you need to be a fast starter.

"This has been an amazing World Cup season and although I am a little disappointed at not taking first in the World Cup overall it has been a fantastic fight and a friendly rivalry with Mellisa."

Rudman's partner Kristan Bromley, who designs and builds the sleds at Bromley Technologies on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in South Yorkshire, competes in the final round of the men's World Cup today.

Bromley, 37 – who celebrated a treble of World Cup winner, world and European champion in 2008 – is sixth after seven races and unlikely to trouble the medals this time around in the World Cup.

He is second, however, in the race for the European title, which will also be decided in Austria today, and is hitting form at the right time with a little under three weeks to go until the opening ceremony in Vancouver.