Federica Brignone is the new overall leader of the women's World Cup circuit ©Getty Images

Federica Brignone is the new overall leader of the women's International Ski Federation Alpine Skiing World Cup after racing to combined victory in Crans-Montana today.

The Italian has taken over from American Mikaela Shiffrin after her success at the Swiss resort, and now boats a 73-point lead.

Brignone has also become only the second woman to win four Alpine combined races in a row on the World Cup circuit.

The Olympic bronze medallist in giant slalom clocked 1min 56.24sec to match the record set by Croatia's Janica Kostelić in 2006.

She was quickest down in both disciplines, completing the super-G in 1:15.62 and then the slalom in 40.62.

Franziska Gritsch of Austria timed in at 1:57.16 for silver and the Czech Republic's Ester Ledecka, an Olympic champion in both skiing and snowboard, managed 1:58.06 for bronze.

Slovakia's slalom specialist Petra Vlhova had been in a good position to win after finishing second following the super-G, but she straddled a gate and her chances ended.

"I think that I had a little luck in the slalom because Petra was really skiing well," Brignone said in an interview with Swiss television.

Brignone has now achieved five race wins and 10 podiums this season, in four different disciplines.

A scoreboard displayed the updated overall standings ©Getty Images
A scoreboard displayed the updated overall standings ©Getty Images

She has 1,298 points in overall standings with Shiffrin on 1,225.

The American, who has won the last three overall World Cup titles in a row, has not competed since the death of her father Jeff earlier this month.

It has not been confirmed when, or if, she will return to the circuit this term.

Vlhova is third on the leaderboard with 1,139 points.

In the combined standings, Brignone remains on course to defend her title from last season.

She has 200 points after winning both races this term, a gap of 75 over Switzerland's Wendy Holdener.

With 100 points available for a victory, the last combined race of  the campaign will take place at the next leg in La Thuile in Italy on March 1.

Super-G will take place there on the previous day.