The decision, made by the British Skeleton Selection Committee, means that Rudman will be pre-selected for all of the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (FIBT) World Cup races due to take place throughout the season, prior to a mid-season review on December 17.

It also means that Rudman will not have to contest for a place in the squad during the selection races in Altenberg, Germany, on Tuesday and Wednesday (October 22 and 23).

"Our experience from the Turin [2006] and Vancouver ]2010 Olympic] Games has shown that for certain athletes, pre-selection can be hugely beneficial, allowing them to plan and prepare their peaking strategies more effectively," said British Skeleton's performance director Nigel Laughton said,

"Given Shelley's consistency and world-class performances, including her World Championship win earlier this year, we felt it important to give her the flexibility for the season."

Britain has qualified three men and three women for the World Cup circuit this year, with one of these places now taken for Rudman.

"I'm really pleased I have been given the opportunity to fully focus on my preparation going into this season and in particular ahead of the international training week in Sochi and the first World Cup race in Calgary at the end of November," said 32-year-old Rudman, who won an Olympic silver medal at Turin 2006.

"Working with my coaching team, we determined that it will enable me to phase my preparation and be in the best possible shape for when it matters this season."

The following two women's places and three men's places will be decided by the Selection Committee after Altenberg.

Donna Creighton will be looking to join Rudman in the British Skeleton squad with a good performance at the Selection Races in Altenberg Germany



The quota places for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games will be determined by athlete's individual FIBT World Ranking, after the seventh World Cup race in Igls, Austria, on January 18.

The nations - three for men and two for women - with the three highest ranked athletes will qualify for the full three quota places for the Games.

British selections for Sochi 2014 will take place the week following the confirmation of quota places.

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