The current European champion and 2012 Youth Olympic Games gold medallist became the youngest-ever winner of a World Championships skeleton crown as she completed her three runs in a combined time of 2 min 35.35sec.

Hermann had to settle for silver as she was 0.25sec slower in a race which was shortened to three runs instead of four following the cancellation of the second heat due to snow yesterday.

Olympic champion Lizzy Yarnold of Britain marked her World Championships return with a podium finish as she took bronze in 2:36.08, 0.73 off the winning pace.

The enthralling conclusion saw Lölling, the last to complete her fourth run, surged down the track quicker than her team-mate to wrap up an historic triumph.

"Amazing - I’m lost for words right now," Lölling, who came into today's heats in pole position, said.

"It feels great."

"I didn’t expect to win, though I had perhaps hoped a little bit. 

"But after the last race here, my goal was definitely to get a medal."

Her victory saw her add the world title to the European gold medal she won earlier this year, which also came on home ice in Winterberg.

“I haven’t lost the title, it’s more like gaining a silver medal," Hermann said.

"I am delighted to have done so well this season. 

"Jacqueline is just in incredible form. 

"It was already pretty clear that it would be really, really tough to beat her here.”

In the men's four-man bobsleigh, German pilot Johannes Lochner leads at the halfway stage having completed today's two runs in 1:36.82 along with team-mates Matthias Kagerhuber, Joshua Bluhm and Christian Rasp.

The second German crew, comprised of Francesco Friedrich, Candy Baeur, Martin Grothkopp and Thorsten Margis, are just 0.03 seconds behind in silver medal position.

Oskars Melbardis, Daumants Dreiskens, Arvis Vilkaste and Janis Strenga of Latvia are third.

The event continues tomorrow.