Halilovic collects maiden World Cup win on home ice

A SUPERB second run from Michi Halilovic ensured the German picked up a shock victory at the FIBT World Cup in Altenberg.

TOP OF THE PILE: Michi Halilovic claims his first ever career World Cup victory on home ice in Altenberg (Getty Images)

The 26-year-old collected his first ever World Cup victory by jumping eight places in the second run, clocking 57.78 seconds for a combined time of 1:56.39 minutes.

That was good enough to claim gold by 0.21 seconds ahead of Russia's Alexander Tretiakov, who took silver, while bronze went to Frank Rommel of Germany.

"It was my best run here ever," Haililovic said after the race. "I have always been somewhat afraid of this course."

Canada's Jeff Pain was in top spot after the first run, coming home in 58.24 but a below-par second outing ensured he had to settle for fourth spot.

Tretiakov was fourth after the first run in 58.44 and added a third best 58.16 for a total time of 1:56.60.  Rommel was third in the first heat, 58.43; and came back with a 58.20 for a 1:56.60 total clocking. 

Pain was fourth in 1:56.78; while Martins Dukurs, 1:56.90, and Tomass Dukurs, 1:57.00, placed fifth and sixth, respectively.

Martins Dukurs leads the World Cup with 1044 points.  Rommel is second with 1011, followed by Sandro Stielicke of Germany, 892, Haililovic, 857, Tomass Dukuers, 856, and Pain, 840.

World silver medallist Adam Pengilly was the highest placed Brit, coming home in tenth place, while Kristan Bromley was forced to settle for 13th.