Daly, now 35, came out of retirement at the start of this season and was named the United States' top male skeleton athlete, but was not eligible to take part in the IBSF World Cup. 

After competing in a Europe Cup contest in Igls in Austria this weekend, Daly will now be able to join the World Cup circuit next season - and a place at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics could follow.

Athletes must have placed at five races across three tracks over the course of the last two seasons to qualify for a World Cup place, but Daly had not raced since the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics, so was not eligible this season.

Having taken part in five North American Cup races at Lake Placid and Park City this campaign - winning all five - the appearance in Igls means Daly has fulfilled the eligibility criteria.

Daly used a new sled in Igls - with his existing one instead heading to Park City, where US national selection races are scheduled in March - and finished 12th.

"I’m really happy with the way I slid," Daly said. 

"We tested some new equipment, and checked the final box for next season."

Austin Florian was the top-ranked American men's skeleton racer at the recent IBSF World Championships in Altenberg, placing 15th.

Austin McCrary came 29th.

Daly won a team gold medal at the 2013 World Championships in St Moritz and also recorded his best solo result at that year's event - fifth place.

Appearing at the Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014 and Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics, Daly placed 17th, 15th and 16th - although was third heading into the final run at Sochi 2014, but his sled came out of the start grooves, costing valuable time.