Emma Lincoln-Smith has copped the worst of the weather conditions in her opening run in the Winterberg skeleton World Cup, missing a place in the second run for the first time in two years.

The 24-year-old AIS scholarship holder started her run as heavy snow fell on the track, ending any hope she had of her fourth consecutive top ten result for the season.

Lincoln-Smith ended the day in 25th position, while team-mate Michelle Steele was in 15th place, 2.30 seconds behind race winner Kerstin Szymkowiak of Germany.

“The conditions in the first run were atrocious,” said AIS Head Skeleton Coach Terry Holland.

“It was snowing pretty heavily during Emma’s run and she got caught up in it badly.”

“The results were all over the place – people who have been ranked at the back of the field this season and in training all week were doing well, and other top sliders were way down.”

In more positive news, Melissa Hoar continued her medal-winning form in the Intercontinental Cup competition, collecting silver in Cesana, Italy.

Hoar finished 0.46 seconds behind German slider Kathleen Lorenz to record her fourth podium result in four events.

OWI team-mate Lucy Chaffer was in fifth position, 1.45 seconds behind the gold medallist.

Hoar will move up to World Cup competition in Altenberg next weekend, while Michelle Steele will take up her place in Intercontinental Cup.