The Australian Women’s Bobsleigh team has finished fifth in the opening Europa Cup race of the season in Igls, Austria.

After only 10 days of sliding this season, and in their second year in the sport, the team of Astrid Loch Wilkinson and Kylie Reed produced Australia's best bobsleigh result.

The duo pushed second fastest of the 15 sleds competing, and narrowly missed out on fourth place by only two one hundredths of a second. They also accounted for many combinations with far greater experience and some World Cup exposure.

The race was won by Germany’s Katrin Dostthaler and Sandra Gutsche from the Great Britain pair of Michelle Cory and Caroline Gray.

The Australia 2 team of Lara Gambino and Dani Lynch finished in 12th place, pushing a creditable eighth.

National Coach Will Alstergren was thrilled with the top five result and looks forward to seeing what the team can do in two weeks time in a World Cup on the same track, especially when they are able to compete for the first time in their new Dresden sled.

“With the push this good and great equipment we will be expecting a top 20 finish at least,” Alstergren said. “The girls are responding well to the challenge and coaching. “