Gisin triumphed four years ago in South Korea after placing third in the downhill and fourth in slalom.

Her hopes of a repeat triumph were hit by recording the 12th-fastest downhill time, ending one second slower than leader Christine Scheyer of Austria.

Shiffrin, the 2018 silver medallist, appeared well-placed at the halfway mark by clocking the fifth-fastest time before tackling the slalom.

The American suffered again in her favoured discipline, with a third did not finish of Beijing 2022 continuing her nightmare Games.

There were no such issues for Gisin, with the Swiss skier producing the fastest time in the slalom to rise to the top of the standings.

Gisin crossed the line in a time of 52.25 seconds, giving her a combined total of 2min 25.67sec.

The time proved enough for Gisin to celebrate a repeat of her Pyeongchang 2018 triumph.

Her nearest challenger was team-mate Wendy Holdener, who upgraded from bronze four years ago by taking silver in 2:26.72.

The result gave Holdener her second medal of Beijing 2022, following bronze in the slalom.

Giant slalom runner-up Federica Brignone of Italy clinched bronze in 2:27.52, with Czech Republic's Ester Ledecka missing the podium in fourth after completing the slalom event despite injury.

"It's so cool that I could manage it in slalom this time," said Gisin, who has also earned super-G bronze at Beijing 2022.

"Four years ago, I managed it with my downhill and this time I did it with my slalom.

"I think it's, how do you say it, perseverance, if you just continue to do something until it works.

"That's kind of how I ski slalom because I tried so hard for so many years.

"Even though I didn't get the medal a week ago in the slalom because I messed up my second run, this was the perfect second run today."

Gisin's triumph ensured Switzerland became the first nation to win five Alpine skiing gold medals at the same Winter Olympics.

Her victory added to triumphs by Beat Feuz, Marco Odermatt, Corinne Suter and Lara Gut-Behrami.

The event marked further disappointment for world champion Shiffrin, who came into the Games as one of the potential stars but is waiting for her first podium finish.

The two-time Olympic champion claimed after the event that she "felt like a joke".

"I didn't make it to the finish again and 60 per cent of my did not finish rate for my entire career has happened at this Olympic Games," Shiffrin said.

"I didn't feel pressure there, I just felt loose and relaxed, like I knew my plan; focused, good skiing and I was doing it and it still didn't work.

"That is what it is."