Switzerland's Lara Gut claimed victory in the downhill event in Aspen ©Getty Images

Olympic bronze medallist Lara Gut of Switzerland got her International Ski Federation (FIS) Alpine Skiing World Cup campaign up and running as she claimed victory in the giant slalom race in Aspen.

The 24-year-old was third after the first run but capitalised on an uncharacteristic mistake from reigning world and Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States in the second to snatch gold with a time of 2min 02.51sec.

Eva-Maria Brem of Austria came through to take silver as she was 0.10 slower than the victorious Gut, while bronze went to Italy’s Federica Brignone.

Shiffrin, who was third overall last year, looked as though she was heading for another triumph but crashed just three gates from the finish line, ensuring her wait for a first World Cup win on home snow goes on.

Brignone, who won the opening downhill event in Sölden, Austria last month, is the current World Cup leader on a total of 160 points ahead of Gut, who is just 10 adrift.

American Mikaela Shiffrin looked on course to win gold before she crashed three gates from the end
American Mikaela Shiffrin looked on course to win gold before she crashed three gates from the end ©Getty Images

"I have to say that when I crossed the finish line in the lead, I was happy to know that I was going to finish on the podium, I mean a second race with the new skis and already on the podium is simply awesome," Gut said.

"I saw that Mikaela was skiing so good but she made a mistake that I used to make two years ago - it's cool to win again.

"Last year I don't know why, but I had no idea about how to ski giant slalom anymore.

"After Sölden last month, I just had to get used to the idea that I was able to ski giant slalom again and of course I am happy to be in front again here in Aspen on an awesome course."

Brem, who will be tasked with leading Austria's team this year after defending Alpine Skiing World Cup champion Anna Fenninger was ruled out with injury, put in two solid runs to claim silver ahead of Brignone.

The Italian was second after the first run but was unable to replicate the consistency in the second, though she still managed to round off the podium by securing bronze.

The event in Aspen continues tomorrow with the slalom race.



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