Jamanka and her brakewoman Annika Drazek, competing on home ice, won their first European crown in a time of 1 min 54.5sec.

This put them second overall in the World Cup timings behind United States pilot Elana Meyers Taylor, who clocked a time of 1:54.43 with Kehri Jones on the brakes.

“To be honest, I don’t really know what today happened either," said Jamanka.

"We finally got it right and then things got really good.

"After the first run, I had to try hard to keep my cool.”

Nadezhda Sergeeva of Russia took second place in the European Championships race in 1:55.02 while Austria's Christina Hengster completed the top three in a time of 1:55.60.

Defending European Champion Anja Schneiderheinze, who won bobsleigh gold at Turin 2006, is currently pregnant and officially announced her retirement from the sport before the start of the season.

Another American, Jamie Greubel Poser, claimed third place in the World Cup section in a time of 1:54.67 while Sergeeva dropped to fourth.

Olympic champion Kaillie Humphries of Canada endured a miserable day by her lofty standards as she finished back in fifth in 1:55.35.

Humphries, along with brakewoman Melissa Lotholz, still managed to retain her lead at the top of the World Cup standings on 834 points.

Poser is second overall on 809, ahead of Austria's Christina Hengster who occupies third on 762.

Meyers Taylor said she was delighted to bag a World Cup victory following what had been a tough couple of weeks for her.

“I am so happy to have got the victory here today," said Meyers Taylor.

"Races like these are always really interesting and exciting.

"It was pretty tough for me today after my grandfather passed away this week, but he was watching over me.”

Men's skeleton and two-man bobsleigh are due to take place tomorrow before action concludes with the women's skeleton and men's four man bobsleigh on Sunday (January 15).