Rothfuss crossed in a combined time of 2min 22.42sec in the Italian resort to ensure victory by less than a second.

It marked her first world title since 2011.

Bochet, the four-time champion at Sochi 2014, had to settle for second place in 2:23.13.

It ended a run of 14 successive world title wins for the Frenchwoman.

Alana Ramsey of Canada clocked 2:28.46 for bronze.

"I had a really good run and I was like ‘I hope I can make it but if not', yeah, I don’t have any words for this," said Rothfuss, who had battled back from injury to compete in Tarvisio.

"As I said before, half-a-year ago I didn’t think I could reach the top of the podium and now I’ve got the gold medal. 

"Super cool."

Sixteen-year-old World Championship debutante Arthur Bauchet ensured France did finish at the top of the podium in the corresponding men's event.

He won in 2:13.63 to beat fellow youngsters in 19-year-old Theo Gmur of Switzerland, in 2:14.34, and 20-year-old Canadian Alexis Guimond, in 2:15.24.

Canada’s Paralympic champion Mac Marcoux maintained his perfect record in the men’s visually impaired with guide Jack Leitch.

He won in 2:09.92 to finish exactly three seconds clear of Italian Giacomo Bertagnolli in 2:12.92.

Spain’s Jon Santacana Maiztegui took bronze in 2:14.86.

Slovakian Paralympic champion Henrieta Farkasova claimed a third gold with guide Natalia Subrtova in the women’s visually impaired event.

She won in 2:21.05 in front of British duo Millie Knight, in 2:27.60, and Menna Fitzpatrick, in 2:30.63.

Austria’s Claudia Loesch equalled the double-gold medal haul of her German rival Anna Schaffelhuber in the women’s sitting.

Loesch, the 2013 winner, finished 2.78 seconds clear in front of Schaffelhuber.

Momoka Muraoka of Japan took bronze in 2:27.47.

Slalom races are scheduled for tomorrow.