Queenslander Michelle Steele has equalled her best Skeleton World Championships performance by finishing in sixth place in St. Moritz, Switzerland on Friday.

The 26-year old, who is currently enjoying one of her most successful seasons, matched her sixth place from the 2007 world titles, also held on the same track.

Steele was fourth after the first two runs down the 1.7 kilometre course, and with a competitive field all pushing hard for a podium finish, she slipped back to eventually finish in sixth place, less than half a second outside the top three.

"I'm really happy with my racing over the past two days," Steele said afterwards.

"It was a tough and very close race over four heats, and I learnt a lot to take into next season and I hope to build off this result."

Her team-mate, fellow Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holder, Lucy Chaffer, was also hoping to make the top 10, but a costly first run meant that she finished in 14th place.

"It was not the World Championships I was hoping for," Chaffer admitted.

"A few mistakes cost me a lot in the first few runs. I finally put one good run together on the last run and gained a few spots."

Australian head coach, Eric Bernotas, was happy with the team's performance, especially with the Sochi Olympic Winter Games in Russia now just 12 months away.

"Big race, big execution and readiness," Bernotas said. "We have built quite a great foundation to stand on and continue to build from.

"The girls rose to the occasion in a big race. I am pleased and proud of the progress.

"The team performed very well and we are taking in the positives and the areas to improve, from and are building with confidence."

Following the World Championships, the FIBT Skeleton World Cup continues in a fortnight, with the final race of the nine event series. Chaffer is currently ninth in the World Cup standings, with Steele two places further back in 11th.

FIBT Skeleton World Championships - St. Moritz, Switzerland
Final results:
1. Shelley Rudman (GBR) 4m38.60s
2. Noelle Pikus-Pace (USA) +0.57s
3. Sarah Reid (GBR) +1.41s
4. Elizabeth Yarnold (GBR) +1.54s
5. Melissa Hollingsworth (CAN) +1.76s
6. Michelle Steele (AUS) +1.89s

14. Lucy Chaffer (AUS) +4.80s

Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWI)