Maze takes giant slalom in Aspen

The discipline's world champion outclassed her rivals in a combined time of one minute and 59.39 seconds to take a commanding lead in the World Cup overall standings with 250 points from three races.

As in Soelden, the Slovenian again beat Austria's Kathrin Zettel, this time by 0.90 seconds while Olympic champion Viktoria Rebensburg was third, 1.54 adrift.

All eyes at the finish were on local favourite Lindsey Vonn, who had left her fans guessing whether she would be competing after being hospitalised last week with a stomach bug.

Vonn, who was yet to score points this season, finished a lowly 21st but at least crossed the line.

"Wow that was tough! Had a really hard time at the bottom of the course...just didn't have the energy I needed," the overall World Cup holder tweeted between the runs.

She is not entering Sunday's slalom on the same piste.

Vonn had been hoping to enter the men's downhill held in the same time in Lake Louise, Alberta, a plea rejected by the International Ski Federation