The United States’ Elana Meyers Taylor, right, is on course for women’s bobsleigh gold at the 2017 IBSF World Championships ©IBSF/Viesturs Lacis

The United States’ Elana Meyers Taylor is on course for women’s bobsleigh gold at the 2017 International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Championships after establishing a narrow lead at the halfway stage in Königssee.

The 2015 world champion clocked a two-heat time of 1 min 43.14sec with brakewoman Kehri Jones, giving her a 0.02sec advantage over two-time reigning Olympic champion Kaillie Humphries of Canada with brakewoman Melissa Lotholz.

American Jamie Greubel Poser is 0.05 off the pace in third with brakewoman Aja Evans.

Meyers Taylor was fastest in the first heat at the German resort in 51.60 and the fifth quickest in the second in 51.54.

"This is a very competitive race, very close," Meyers Taylor, the Sochi 2014 Olympic silver medallist, said.

"I have to talk with the coaches now to figure out where I lost time."

Olympic champion Kaillie Humphries sits in second place at the halfway point ©Getty Images
Olympic champion Kaillie Humphries sits in second place at the halfway point ©Getty Images

Humphries’ first-heat start time, 5.28, was only the seventh best and she dropped to eighth during the second run in 5.26.

"I am happy with how I drove but we were way behind at the start," the 2012 and 2013 world champion said.

"So if we will be faster there tomorrow, that will help a lot."

Home favourite Mariama Jamanka is currently in fourth place, 0.24 back, with defending world champion brakewoman Annika Drazek.

Heats three and four in the women’s bobsleigh are due to take place tomorrow, when the first two runs of the two-man bobsleigh competition are also scheduled.