Williams upstages Hollingsworth to lead after first skeleton run

From Sportsbeat staff, in Whistler

 GREAT Britain's Amy Williams scorched to a new track record at the Whistler Sliding Centre to take a commanding lead after the first skeleton run in Vancouver.

SETTING THE PACE: Great Britain's Amy Williams leads after the first run of the women;s skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre (Getty Images)

The 27-year-old world silver medallist romped home in 53.83 seconds, upstaging red-hot favourite Melissa Hollingsworth of Canada, who sits fifth place, 0.35 off the pace.

Fellow Brit Shelley Rudman, who has been the first to admit she has struggled with the track in training, languishes in 11th place, having clocked 54.66.

"I'm a bit frustrated. I know I can do better," admitted Rudman.

But while the focus has been on Olympic silver medallist Rudman, Williams has been quietly confident in training and set the second fastest time in three of the last four practice runs.

Renowned for fast starts and for impressing on fast tracks, Williams, fifth to go, holds a 0.31 lead over Canada's Amy Gough, while Kerstin Szymkowiak of Germany is third a further 0.01 back.

"I just went for it and I really enjoyed it. It was good fun. I've got three more runs yet, so hopefully I can stay consistent and see what happens," she said.

The 2008 world champion Anja Huber, also of Germany remains in contention in fourth while reigning world champion Marion Trott disappointed in first outing and currently lies ninth, 0.70 off the pace.

The second run was scheduled to begin at 17:00 local time, but after the first was delayed, the start time is likely to be put back.

 AS IT HAPPENS: Day seven of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver