Amy Williams has won Great Britian's first individual gold medal in 30 years after claiming victory in the women's skeleton.

She held an overnight lead and followed it up with two fine runs, including a course record, to grab the gong at Whistler.

At the end of her four runs, she finished with a combined time of 3:35.64, 0.56seconds ahead of her closest rival, Kerstin Szymkowiak of Germany.

The 27-year-old from Bath was joined on the podium by another German, Anja Huber, who claimed bronze. Fellow Britain Shelley Rudman finished a disappointing seventh.

Rudman, silver medallist in Turin four years ago, failed to live up to the hype as her team-mate Williams grabbed the surprise success.

You have to go back to Lake Placid in 1980 to find Britain's last individual gold medal winner. It was Robin Cousins who won the honour 30 year ago when he claimed the men's figure skating title.

"I'm not very good at statistics so I didn't realise I'm the first (individual) gold medallist for a long time," Williams said.

"But I think it shows that if you have the determination any country can be good at any sport and you just have to concentrate and do your best."