Tina Hermann earned a third consecutive world title ©Getty Images

Tina Hermann produced a superb turnaround to defend her women’s skeleton title at the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Championships in Altenberg.

Hermann’s aim of securing a third consecutive world title had been hit by recording only the 11th fastest time in the opening run yesterday, leaving her with no margin for error in the three remaining runs.

The German star posted the fastest second run yesterday, which saw the gap close to 0.24sec to her compatriot Jacqueline Lölling.

Hermann topped the third run standings today by clocking a time of 57.96, shaving a further 0.07 off Lölling’s lead.

The come from behind victory was completed with a fourth run time of 58.03, with Lölling ending 0.28 slower in 58.31.

Hermann’s combined time of 3min 52.97sec saw her become the first woman to win three consecutive skeleton world titles, as well as sealing a record fourth gold.

Lölling, the 2017 world champion and Olympic silver medallist, finished 0.11 down overall to secure the silver medal.

European champion Elena Nikitina won bronze for the Bobsleigh Federation of Russia team after ending 1.68 behind the gold medallist.

The men's skeleton competition also concluded today.

Alexander Tretiakov led the event overnight and could have become one of the first athletes from Russia to win a World Championship title under their neutral status.

He was competing as part of the Bobsleigh Federation of Russia team at the World Championships, under restrictive conditions imposed following the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling in December.

The Sochi 2014 Olympic champion was overhauled by defending world champion Christopher Grotheer on the final day.

Grotheer, who began the day in third place, recorded times of 56.36 and 56.59 to top the standings in the third and fourth runs.

His overall time of 3:46.31 was enough to secure gold ahead of Tretiakov, who finished as the silver medallist at 0.28 down.

Germany's Alexander Gassner completed the podium places at 1.23 behind the winner.

A skeleton mixed team event will be held for the second time at the World Championships tomorrow.

The World Championship debut of women’s monobob will also begin tomorrow, alongside the first two runs of the four-man bobsleigh.