Australian figure skater Cheltzie Lee has more than justified her late call-up to the Olympic Winter Games with her best ever short program, earning the 16-year-old a start in the free skating.

The Sydney high school student was at one stage third reserve for the Games, but ultimately got the nod to compete in Vancouver three weeks ago when Israeli skater Tamar Katz was withdrawn by her Olympic committee.

And Lee took full advantage, showing no nerves to finish the night in 18th spot with a score of 52.16 points and on her way to the next stage of competition, with 24 skaters qualifying for the free skating component.

"I'm thrilled," she said. "That's the best score I've ever got in my short program and it was pretty good to do it at the Olympics."

"Ever since I found out about (qualifying) I've been training my butt off," she said.

South Korea's Kim Yu-Na (78.50) set a new world mark in the short program to lead Japanese rival Mao Asada (73.78) and Canadian Joannie Rochette (71.36).