Minichiello (right) had surgery on her eye in December

World bobsleigh champions Nicola Minichiello and Gillian Cooke finished eighth on their return to action after Minichiello's eye operation.

Briton Minichiello required laser surgery in December after suffering a loss of vision in her left eye.

The Sheffield athlete proved her recovery, finishing less than a second behind the winners, hosts Germany in the World Cup event in Konigssee.

The duo are among Britain's best medal hopes at February's Winter Olympics.

At Lake Placid last February, the pairing became Britain's first female bobsleigh world champions, and the first Britons of either gender the triumph at the World Championships since Robin Dixon and Anthony Nash back in 1965.

606: DEBATE Discuss Britain's medal chances in Vancouver

This season they have finished in the top 10 in every race but have yet to make it on to the podium.

The Games start in Vancouver on 12 February but the duo's events are not until 23 and 24 February at Whistler Sliding Centre.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version