Lizzy Yarnold defied a sinus infection and a spell of dizziness to set a track record in Pyeongchang to set up a possible Super Saturday for British athletes at the Winter Olympics.

Yarnold, who won skeleton gold in Sochi four years ago, set her record in the first run before slipping back slightly to reach the halfway stage in third place but only 0.10 seconds behind Jacqueline Lölling of Germany, with two runs left on Saturday.

With Yarnold’s team-mate Laura Deas sitting in fourth, 0.17sec off the lead, there remains the possibility of one or two skeleton medals for Britain on Saturday. And with Elise Christie trying to put the heartbreak of her crash in the 500m final when she competes in the 1500m and the teenager Izzy Atkin going in the ski slopestyle, Britain has four potential medal winners.

Yarnold said she was happy with her performance, despite struggling with her health. “It was a much faster track than it had been in training,” she said. “I have got a bit of a throat and sore sinus thing going on. I think I am struggling to breathe enough because it’s very cold here. It’s a little bit dusty as well, so I am doing lots of steaming over a bowl.

“It’s actually a brilliant track and it’s been a great first night racing. This is the bit I love, going home and everyone getting all nervous and I get a great night’s sleep and then fighting again for it tomorrow.”

Yarnold also believes she could yet make history by being the first Briton to retain a Winter Olympic title. “I’m an athlete that loves to compete at these big events when everyone is bringing their best, so I think I am still well in the mix,” she said. “The big goal, which is frightening to say sometimes, is to be the first British Winter Olympian to retain my title.”

Meanwhile Deas said she was really happy with where she is after day one. “It is a tough, technical track and it rewards a fast push,” she said. “You really have to think all the way down – there is no place where you can let your brain rest. It is hard work so coming back fresh tomorrow is important.

“It is a really nice place to be, sitting in fourth, only seven hundredths out of a medal. This is a sport where anything can happen and it can change in a split second. I just want to stay positive.”