SHELLEY Rudman admitted her surprise after moving up to second overall in the FIBT Skeleton World Cup standings despite a disappointing outing in the fourth round of the series in Lake Placid on Sunday.

The Pewsey slider, 32, finished down the field in 11th, nearly a second behind compatriot Lizzy Yarnold, who claimed her second victory of the season.

Reigning world champion Rudman, who was sixth in the third round, also at Lake Placid last Friday, has yet to claim a podium finish but is still second, 164 points behind Yarnold in the overall standings.

The 2012 World Cup champion said: “(I) can’t believe I actually moved up in the world rankings. (It’s) good to be in the mix, but hoping next year is better.’’ Yarnold has now claimed two wins, one second place and one third from four World Cup races this season.

The series resumes on January 4 in Winterberg, Germany, as the build-up to the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi in February continues.

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