Intro:

Martins and Tomass Dukurs of Latvia achieved a hat-trick on Sunday (12th January), finishing first and second in their third Viessmann FIBT World Cup skeleton race in succession - John Fairbairn of Canada was third in St Moritz to secure a World Cup podium place for the first time in his career.

Script:

The world-famous and picturesque Swiss resort of St. Moritz was the venue for the men's skeleton on Sunday.

Competitors in Switzerland were keen to impress ahead of the upcoming squad selections for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

Latvian brothers Martins and Tomass Dukurs were in imperious form once more.

Martins, the younger of the two, was fastest on the first run with a time of one minute and 8.14 seconds.

He followed that up with a second run of one minute, 7.40 seconds for a combined time of two minutes and 15.54, enough to ensure an emphatic win.

Older brother Tomass proved to be hi closest rival but finished 1.09 seconds further back - to take second place.

Canadian John Fairburn had been in fourth place following a first run of one minute, 8.99 seconds.

But a spectacular second run saw him take third place - it was the Canadian's first World Cup podium finish.

2008 world champion Kristan Bromley celebrated his best result of the Olympic season in St Moritz - the Britton ending in fifth place.

The result ensures that Martins Dukurs has increased his lead in the overall World Cup rankings and now has 1270 points.

World champion Alexander Tretyakov of Russia is second with 1205 points despite a disappointing seventh place in St Moritz, while Tomass Dukurs is third on 1198 points.