Tessa Worley claimed the early-season bragging rights as the French athlete triumphed in the women's giant slalom event ©Getty Images

Tessa Worley claimed the early-season bragging rights as the French athlete triumphed in the women's giant slalom event on the opening day of the Alpine Skiing World Cup campaign in Sölden.

Worley, runner-up on the overall giant slalom standings last season, clocked a total time of 2min 00.51sec across her two runs.

The reigning world champion finished 0.35sec ahead of Italy's Federica Brignone, who produced the fastest opening run.

It marked a superb result for the Italian, who missed a significant period of training after she was injured in a crash.

American star Mikaela Shiffrin, who won Olympic gold in the giant slalom at Pyeongchang 2018 and is among the favourites to retain her overall World Cup crown, finished third.

Tessa Worley claimed victory by 0.35 seconds in the traditional season opener ©Getty Images
Tessa Worley claimed victory by 0.35 seconds in the traditional season opener ©Getty Images

Shiffrin was fourth going into the second run but managed to do enough to clinch the last spot on the podium in the Austrian resort.

She was helped by Viktoria Rebensburg of Germany, the 2018 giant slalom title winner, who slid from second position in the first run back to fourth place.

"The key to victory in Sölden is two solid runs and most of all charging through them as it is tough," said Worley.

"This year was incredibly hard and it was a fight.

"As a giant slalom skier, Sölden is one of the places you want to win and I am proud I could do that today."

The traditional curtain-raiser is scheduled to continue with the men's giant slalom event tomorrow.