The US star - also the defending overall World Cup champion - was in fine form at the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) event at the Norwegian track.

He clocked a time of 1min 51.93sec after his two runs to top the pile at the 1994 Winter Olympic Games venue, in what was the third leg of the World Cup season.

Eierdam also won the second leg on home ice in Park City in November and now leads the overall standings with 215 points.

Britain's Matthew Richardson, who won the first race in Park City, was second today with a time of 1:53.38, nearly two seconds adrift of Eierdam.

Third place went to American Ryan Gautieri, timed at 1:53.84.

It means that Richardson is second overall on a tally of 195, with Gautieri third with a total of 175.

In the seated bobsleigh competition, there was an opening victory of the season for the United States' Barry Schroeder.

The American failed to register points in Park City but finished top today with a time of 1:55.49.

Alvils Brants of Latvia came home second in 1:55.78 with Canada's World Cup and World Championship winner Lonnie Bissonnette third in 1:56.00.

The result means Brants has leap-frogged Bissonnette at the top of the overall standings, with the Latvian on 322 points, three in front of the Canadian.

Another Canadian slider, Brian McPherson, is third on 288. 

The second competitions in both disciplines will take place tomorrow.