THE CANADIAN PRESS

WHISTLER, B.C. -- Canadian Melissa Hollingsworth won World Cup gold on Thursday at a skeleton track that has plagued her since a disappointing fifth place finish at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The native of Eckville, Alta., finished in a two-run time of one minute 49.79 seconds, while Lucy Katherine Chaffer of Australia finished second in 1:49.79 and Shelley Rudman of Germany was third in 1:50.36.

"This is the biggest World Cup win for me in my career," Hollingsworth said. "I expected to be winning here a couple of years ago and this track has haunted me ever since.

"Today is about redemption and a sense of relief."

Calgary's Sarah Reid was sixth while Amy Gough of Abbotsford B.C., was seventh.

The result moved Hollingsworth up the season's standings to third with 1250 points. Germany's Marion Thees continues to hold the top spot with Shelley Rudman of the United Kingdom in second.

Hollingsworth's win is her seventh gold medal for a total of 31 World Cup medals in 98 races over her 17-year career. She won silver on the same track at last year's World Cup race in Whistler.

"I had to focus on me and my sled. Finishing on the podium last year was the first step. This is my home track and I can slide the fastest here," Hollingsworth said.