Just a week after her victory in St Moritz in what was only her second World Cup race since being moved up to the senior British squad, the 23-year-old from West Kingsdown, Kent has offered further compelling evidence of her prodigious talent by securing a global title.

After beating the Russian Olga Potylitsina into second place by nearly half a second, Yarnold commented: "It was a tough race today with a very good field but I am delighted and really, really happy that I won today, especially as my parents flew out to watch and support me."

On a beautiful, clear day that was very different to the overcast and snowy conditions experienced during training, Yarnold was in first place after the first run, seven hundredths ahead of Potylitsina.

Though she admitted to a few mistakes on the second run, the Briton extended her lead to finish 44 hundredths ahead at the end. Jacqueline Lolling of Germany finished third.

"I made a few mistakes on the second run but worked hard at the bottom section of the track to recover and I'm pleased that I managed to extend my lead and win the gold," Yarnold said.

"I'd like to thank Mark Wood, my coach, for all his advice and support and also the support staff that have helped me in recent weeks."

British Skeleton erformance director Nigel Laughton commented: "It's been a great few weeks for British Skeleton at all levels and I'm very proud of the success we've had and in particular of Lizzy winning today.

"She was second last year in this race and the result today shows good progression and by winning today she automatically qualifies for the senior World Championships in Lake Placid at the end of next month."

Yarnold, who finished one place ahead of Britain's 2006 Olympic silver medallist Shelley Rudman in St Moritz, now moves onto North America for the final two World Cups of the season and the World Championships.

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January 2012: Newcomer Yarnold strikes World Cup gold in skeleton as Rudman adds historic silver in St Moritz