The Germans, who also won the corresponding International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (FIBT) World Cup fixture, had to beat the conditions as well as the opposition after harsh weather forced the cancellation of the women's skeleton competition also scheduled for the French Alpine resort. 

But as the weather held, Friedrich and Grothkopp finished a minuscule 0.04 seconds ahead of Lativa's Oskars Melbardis and Daumants Dreiskens, while Swiss duo Rico Peter and Bror van der Zijde took bronze, 0.21 seconds back.

Further down the field, there was a superb performance from Rudy Rinaldi and Boris Vain of Monaco as the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic bronze medals chanelled the spirit of the Principality's most famous bobsleigh competitor - International Olympic Committee member and ruler Prince Albert - to finish 10th.

After six of eight events, Oskars Melbardis of Latvia has extended his World Cup lead over Beat Hefti of Switzerland after the latter, the defending European champion, could only finish fifth this time around.

Friedrich lies third in the overall World Cup standings.

Germany won gold ahead of Latvian and Swiss opposition ©FIBT



There was disappointment earlier in the day after the FIBT World Cup women's skeleton race, which was also due to double as the European Championships, was cancelled due to unacceptable track conditions for skeleton.