Atherton was expected to lead the British charge at the event in the Scottish city and duly lived up to her billing by clocking a time of 5min 07.825sec.

France’s Myriam Nicole, who arrived in Fort William having triumphed at the last competition on the World Cup circuit in Losinj in Croatia, was second.

Nicole finished in 5:09.765, 1.940 behind Atherton.

The duo are set to battle it out for victory and crucial World Cup points when the final is held tomorrow, although hot prospect Tahnée Seagrave, third in qualification, could also challenge.

In the men's qualification round, which took place amid worsening conditions on the course owing to rain, American Luca Shaw was the pick of the athletes as he finished in first place.

Shaw, second in Losinj behind compatriot Aaron Gwin, completed his run in a time of 4:33.782.

Two-time world champion Danny Hart of Britain was only 0.088 adrift of the American as he was second in 4:33.870.

Frenchman Loris Vergier did enough for third place after he finished in 4:34.898.

Both finals are scheduled to take place in the Scottish Highlands tomorrow.