Astrid Loch-Wilkinson has claimed Australia's first bobsleigh medal, driving to silver in the opening Europa Cup event of the season in Igls, Austria.

Loch-Wilkinson and brakewoman Kylie Reed tied with the German number one sled driven by Katrin Dostthaler on 1 minute 50.96 seconds to share the second level of the podium.

The race was won by Austrian Christin Muessiggang in a time of 1:50.88, just eight hundredths of a second faster than the Australians.

The previous best result for the Australian duo in what is the second tier of world bobsleigh competition was fourth place in the Konigssee Europa Cup in December 2004.

In World Cup, Loch-Wilkinson's best performance is a 16th place in St Moritz last season. She started the current 2005/06 season with a pair of 19th placings in the opening two races in Calgary and Lake Placid.