Dunedin skeleton racer Tionette Stoddard recorded a career-best result when she finished seventh at a World Cup Skeleton meet in St Moritz Switzerland, last week.
It is the first time a New Zealand female racer has finished in the top 10 at a world cup meet.
The previous best result was when Wanaka-based Louise Corcoran finished 11th during the 2003-04 season.
In an email to the Otago Daily Times, Stoddard said it was a thrill to do so well, especially at the home of skeleton racing - the sport originated in Switzerland - and on the only natural bobsleigh track in the world.
‘‘For me this is a career-best result,'' she said.
Stoddard's seventh placing is a marked improvement on her other results this year.
She finished 20th and 15th in Italy earlier this month.
However, she was still struggling with an injury.
‘‘After harbouring a hamstring injury for the first half of the season, I am pleased with how things are progressing and looking forward to getting back to full fitness as the weeks roll on towards the 2008 World Champs in Altenberg, Germany in late February.''
New Zealand could have its largest skeleton team at the world championships, with Corcoran, Ben Sandford and Iain Roberts all hoping to qualify.