The world's elite will descend for two days of competition at Northern Europe's only artificially frozen bobsleigh and luge track.

Women's singles is being dominated by two individuals, with Russia's Tatyana Ivanova and Germany's Julia Taubitz enjoying a titanic battle.

Ivanova started the season with singles victory at Innsbruck in Austria, before Taubitz hit back at Lake Placid in the United States.

Whistler in Canada, was a triumph for Ivanova, but Taubitz hit back last time out at Altenberg in Germany.

The overall standings reflect this, with Ivanova on 482 points and Taubitz just two back on 480.

Russia's Victoria Demchenko is in third on 332, with a top-two finish surely way out of reach.

The men's competition is much more clear-cut, with Russian Roman Repilov leading the way in the overall standings on 466, 81 ahead of Austria's Jonas Müller and Italian Dominik Fischnaller, who are both on 350. 

However, Repilov will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing performance in Altenberg last weekend, where a poor first run meant he could finish only 10th.

The men's singles spoils went to David Glerischer of Austria, his first victory of the season.

The team relay is also hugely competitive, with Italy and Russia having won in Innsbruck and Altenberg.   

Tomorrow is set to see the women's singles competition get the event underway, with doubles later in the afternoon.