Having already claimed gold in the women's super-G on the opening day of the Championships in Vail and Beaver Creek, Colorado, the two-time Sochi 2014 medallist topped the giant slalom podium with a leading aggregate time over two runs of 2min 19.16sec, despite a mistake in the lower third of the course.

Silver medallist Viktoria Rebensburg of Germany finished a considerable 1.40sec behind, while Sweden's Jessica Lindell-Vikarby claimed bronze with a time of 2:20.65 - these were the first World Championships medals for both athletes.

"It is really nice and there are so many emotions," Fenninger said.

"Today it's unbelievable that this happened.

"I gave everything and I won everything and it's just a great day.

"I had a big mistake and I knew it cost me a lot of time so I had to risk everything at the bottom of the course.

"When I crossed the finish line and saw the result, it was unbelievable."

Viktoria Rebensburg, Anna Fenninger and Jessica Lindell-Vikarby celebrate on the podium after the ladies' giant slalom ©Getty Images


Rebensburg was particularly pleased with her result, despite missing out on the gold, as she became the first German athlete to medal at this year's World Championships.

"The first run I was struggling a little bit, but I tried to push as hard as I could on the second run," she said.

"When I finished I didn't know if it would be good enough for a medal with all the other skiers left.

"In the end the silver is pretty amazing."

Lindell-Vikarby was equally delighted.

"I'm really happy, I've tried for this seven times at the World Championships and three times at the Olympics to get a medal, so I'm really pleased with how things worked out today," she explained.

The United States home hopes in the race, Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn, finished well out of the medal race in eighth and 14th place respectively.

The competition in Vail and Beaver Creek is due to continue tomorrow with the men's giant slalom.

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