The three-times Olympian and 2008 world champion could not improve on his overnight position, which saw him in fifth place.

Team-mates Chris Type and Andy Wood, both making their World Championships debuts, ended the competition in the same positions as they had occupied overnight, 14th and 16th places respectively.

Gold went to Martins Dukurs, who became Latvia's first Skeleton World Championships medallist, adding the title to the World Cup and European Championships titles he has already secured this season.

"Martins Dukurs was unbeatable, he is sliding in another league," said British Skeleton performance director Andi Schmid.

"For us this year is about building up our team for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. We should have the strength to be consistently in the top 10.

"A top-six finish was good for Kristan, but with a bit more luck and bit of a better performance, he could have got on to the podium. He is a bit disappointed because he was hoping for a medal.

"Chris Type needs to improve his push and there are a few things we need to work on with Andy's material and sliding style, but a top-20 finish is a good result at your first World Championships."

Shelley Rudman and Donna Creighton go for Britain in the women's event at the World Championships – their first two runs are today and the final two runs tomorrow.

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