Sanctioned by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), the event, which features many of the same COVID-19 protocols that are to be in place for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics next year, takes place over two days, with competition in the women's and men's skeleton, women's monobob and men's two-man bobsleigh taking place today.

Two-hundred-and-forty athletes from 23 countries are set to compete across the two days, with competitors required to have taken two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, undergo daily testing and remain in the competition bubble.

The German team showcased their form prior to the winter season, with world champion Tina Hermann and World Championship bronze medallist Alexander Gassner taking victory in the women's and men's skeleton respectively. 

Tina edged out team-mate Neise Hannah in a time of 2min 6.15sec, 0.04 clear of Hannah.

Overall World Cup winner in 2019, Elena Nikitina of Russia, finished third in 2:06.42.

Gassner won the men's event by 0.39, beating out Britain's Marcus Wyatt.

Third was another German, Axel Jungk, who edged out Germany's world champion Christopher Grotheer for third.

Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic champion Jamanka Mariama - who will be aiming to add the monobob title to her two-woman triumph when she returns to the Yanqing National Sliding Center in February - won the women's monobob in 2:10.11, 0,08 clear of Switzerland's Hasler Melanie.

And in the two-man bobsleigh, Friedrich Francesco - another of Germany's reigning Olympic champions - and Roediger Alexander were victorious in 2:00.80.

Britain's Hall Brad and Cackett Greg narrowly claimed second, 0.07 behind the victors and 0.02 seconds clear of Gaitiukevich Rostislav and Mordasov Mikhail of Russia in third.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow in the two-woman bobsleigh and four-man bobsleigh.