PARK CITY, Utah -- Brian McDonald won the opening race of the U.S. skeleton team's Olympic trials Friday while defending World Cup champion Lincoln DeWitt struggled again.

In the women's race, upstart Tristan Gale beat veterans Lea Ann Parsley and Tricia Stumpf for the two-run victory in 1 minute, 41.93 seconds.

McDonald, who finished eighth at the national championship race on the same Utah Olympic Park track in October, was third after the first run down the 15-turn track. But he came back with a strong second run for the victory in a combined 1:39.08.

DeWitt, who got off to a slow start this season as he tinkered with the weight distribution on his sled, was three-hundredths of a second behind McDonald in 1:39.11. Third went to Brady Canfield in 1:39.19.

"I can't say I didn't expect to win. Am I surprised? Somewhat," McDonald said. "It's actually the first race I've ever won."

The selection process for the team at the Salt Lake City Games in February involves four races -- two this weekend and two next weekend. The final rankings, however, will be based on each racer's three best finishes.

For the men, Jim Shea and Chris Soule already have locked up berths on the team thanks to their performance on the World Cup circuit. The Olympic trials are being used to determine who gets a third slot the United States is virtually guaranteed because of its current position atop the World Cup's team standings.

The women's team is assured one slot in the Winter Games, although it could secure a second if the team can edge Switzerland in the World Cup team standings at the circuit's final competition, in St. Moritz, on Jan. 17. Switzerland has 194 team points, while the United States has 193.

A year ago, DeWitt seemed certain to represent the United States at the Olympics after winning the individual World Cup title.

"Pressure is good. I think whoever wins here will be stronger because of it," he said.

Gale, who has two top-10 finishes on the World Cup tour this season, didn't think her unexpected victory would make her more nervous in the three remaining races.

"It just gives me more confidence that I can do this," she said.

Parsley was second in 1:42.06 while Stumpf, struggling with a sore left hamstring, was third in 1:42.25.