By Nick Butler

Eric Eierdam celebrates after his Para-skeleton World Cup victory ©TwitterUnited States' Eric Eierdam sealed first place in the inaugural Para-skeleton World Cup series today with the narrowest of victories over British rival Matt Richardson in St Moritz.


Eierdam overcame Richardson by just 0.01 of a second, to follow his victory in Igls in the second race in the three-stage series in perfect fashion.

In messages afterwards posted on both his Facebook and Twitter accounts, the American highlighted how he had successfully achieved the number one ranking, and had also set seven track records across the three tracks in which World Cup races had taken place.

Richardson, a former serviceman who was struck by a landmine while on patrol in Afghanistan in 2008, losing both of his feet in the blast, finished second overall after placing runner-up in the latter two races following a victory in the opener in Park City.

"It's amazing after four years of starting Para-skeleton we have progressed to the first ever World Cup which has been truly unbelievable," the Briton said afterwards.

"I am thrilled to come second, missing out by 0.01 on first place."

Eric Eierdam posts on Twitter following his record-breaking victory ©TwitterEric Eierdam posts on Twitter following his record-breaking victory ©Twitter



Paralympic inclusion still seems a relatively long-term aim for the new discipline, with International Paralympic Committee President Sir Philip Craven telling insidethegames last month it will not happen in time for Pyeongchang 2018 but could be considered for the 2022 Games, to be held in either Almaty or Beijing.

But the debut season has been a success nonetheless, with sliding sports action to continue tomorrow in St Moritz with a Para-bobsleigh competition. 

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