Vonn wins first ever giant slalom

American Lindsey Vonn, edged out in last season's overall women's World Cup title by Maria Hoefl-Riesch, started the new season in style winning Saturday's opening giant slalom in Solden. The three-time former World Cup winner prevailed in a time of 2min 24.34sec on the Rettenbach slope. After her first ever giant slalom win in front of 12,000 spectators Vonn said: "It's a dream." "I can't believe it," she added after becoming the fifth women skier to win in all five disciplines. "I turned up for this race without a great deal of confidence, it's much better than I could have hoped. "I just tried to ski my best, to ski intelligently. Now I will try to continue in this vein and to maintain my confidence. "I knew that I had to improve in the giant slalom if I wanted to be competitive this season. It was one of the aim's of my career (to win a giant slalom)." This was Vonn's 42nd World Cup win. Germany's Viktoria Rebensburg, defending titleholder in the discipline, was second in 2:24.47 with Elisabeth Goergl of Austria (2:24.87) in third. Rebensburg, winner of this race last year, was satisfied with her runner-up spot. "It's always good to begin the season on the podium, it's a good sign, it's looking good the the races coming up. I'm more consistent now." Goergl remarked: "I'm very contented especially as up to today I didn't really like this course. I've improved my technique, it's a good start." Italy's Federica Brignone was in the lead after the first leg but then scuppered her chances of posting a first giant slalom success when falling after a handful of gates on the second run. Hofl-Riesch came in well down the standings in 24th.