At a track expected to be dominated by fast starters the 29-year-old from WIltshire exceeded her own expectations at the course in Utah when she stormed down the course in her opening run to lead by 0.11 seconds.

But German Huber, the winner ahead of the British rider at the second round of the series in Calgary, last week, produced a stunning performance in her second run, which was a full 0.29 seconds quicker than anyone else.

Rudman had to settle for silver on the 2002 Winter Olympic track, with the Canadian duo of Amy Gough and Melissa Hollingsworth third and fourth places and Britain's Donna Creighton fifth.

Rudman said: "I'm extremely happy with my silver medal especially with how fast Anja was in the second run.

"I had two great runs."

In the men's event, Rudman's fiance Kristan Bromley took fourth place as the event was won by Russian Alexander Tretiakov.


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