WESTHOUGHTON skeleton rider Jack Thomas dedicated his best World Cup performance to date to the memory of his grandmother Flo, who died aged 83 just days before the latest race.

The 26-year-old former Horwich RMI sprinter qualified for the second run of the weekend for the first time in the series, finishing 16th with his opening effort at Altenburg in Germany before improving his position to claim 15th overall.

Thomas had shown glimpses of what he was capable of in the first two rounds of the competition in North America, but after fast starts his times tailed off.

This time he maintained his form well enough after producing the fourth best start of the weekend, finishing 3.06secs down on German winner Christopher Grotheer and just 0.34 behind British number one Dom Parsons, who was 12th.

“It was much better race for me. I’m looking to progress each week now the World Cup circuit is back in Europe – tracks that I have slid before and have much more experience on. You should see a different Jack Thomas in the coming weeks.

“But there is no denying it has been the toughest week I’ve had as an athlete. I’ve struggled emotionally after my nan passed away at the beginning of the week.

“She thought I was mad like most people, but she was very proud and supported me all the way.”

Thomas will remain in Germany for the European Championships, which take place at Winterberg this weekend.