Jenny Owens has made her first podium of the season and the third of her career, claiming silver in a ski cross World Cup in Lake Placid, New York.

Owens qualified in seventh place, then made a great start in the four-woman head-to-head finals, finishing second to world number two Hedda Berntsen of Norway but ahead of world number four Kelsey Serwa of Canada.

The 30-year-old AIS skier was second again in the quarter-final, then won her semi-final encounter to reach her second final for the season.

Owens’ major opposition in the four-woman final was five-time World Cup champion Ophelie David of France, and although she got a good start behind the French star, she was unable to find a passing opportunity.

"I was feeling a bit off colour today so I was a little worried about how I'd go," Owens said.

"My first heat (in the finals) was my toughest as I had Hedda and Kelsey, both good starters and good skiers."

"I had a good start in the final and slipped in behind Ophelie David and was on her heels the whole way down.”

“I was trying to find a place to take her but it just wasn't happening."

“I skied well today. Technically I’m skiing better, standing on my skis better and I’m fitter and a lot stronger after all the work we’ve been doing over summer and in the pre-season with the NSWIS staff in Sydney and at Perisher Blue.”

"It was good to get it all together today. I'm all smiles and ready for the Winter X Games in Aspen next weekend."

Owens now sits in sixth place the World Cup standings on 145 points, 185 behind David on 330 points. Berntsen is in second place on 203 points.

The next World Cup event will be held on the Vancouver 2010 course at Cypress Mountain on February 6.