Leading the opposition was home town star Lindsey Vonn, barely a fortnight since the American secured a record 63rd World Cup win in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Vonn was the first of the star names to compete when action belatedly commenced, and when she finished on top of the leaderboard, golfing boyfriend Tiger Woods was among those to shout out in celebration.

But the lead was short lived as first Tina Maze of Slovenia, the Sochi 2014 downhill and giant slalom gold medal winner, went faster, before Fenninger crossed the line a mere 0.03 seconds ahead.

"I only watched about the first 10 racers," said the winner afterwards.

"I didn't know what Lindsey or Tina or any of the others had done, I just focused on me and what I had to do and it worked."

While Maze showed her versatility in reaching the podium in yet another event, it was still a strong performance by Vonn, as she managed her first World Championship medal since 2011, eventually finishing 0.15 behind the winner.

Anna Fenninger celebrates her victory in between runner-up Tina Maze (left) and third placed Lindsey Vonn (right) ©AFP/Getty Images



Cornelia Huetter of Austria, Viktoria Rebensburg of Germany, and Tina Weitrather of Liechtenstein rounded off the top six.

"I'm really happy with the way I skied today," admitted Vonn, who missed Sochi 2014 through injury.

"It was really tough conditions.

"But to come away with a medal at my hometown World Championships is something really special."

As well as Woods, among other well known names in attendance was International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, along with FIS counterpart and fellow IOC member Gian-Franco Kasper. 

Action is due to continue in the Colorado resort tomorrow with the men's Super G, although a weather forecast predicting moderate to heavy snow means more delays are possible.

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