Schild pips Riesch in Levi

The Austrian's first Levi victory, four years ago, was the prelude to two formidable seasons crowned by slalom World Cup titles in 2007 and 2008.

After injury put Schild out of action for the whole of the 2009 season, she was ousted from the top of the World Cup slalom standings by Riesch who won two World Cup titles as well as world and Olympic gold medals.

Schild's victory on Saturday, the 24th in her career and the 22nd in slalom, sounded a warning that she was determined to claim back her throne.

With a time of one minute 52.84 seconds she beat Riesch by 0.03 seconds while local favourite Tanja Poutiainen, the inaugural winner on the Levi piste in 2004, settled for her third podium spot at home, 0.34 seconds off the pace.

"It's a surprise win to be honest," said Schild, who won three slaloms last season but was too inconsistent to be a match for Riesch in the World Cup title quest.

Only fifth in the morning leg, some 0.8 seconds behind the German, she appeared to be facing a losing battle when she pushed out of the starting cabin for the second run.

"I was really frustrated after the first run. I could not find my pace and had to adjust my equipment. I relaxed in the second run but seriously did not believe in my chances, being so far from Riesch who is almost at home here," she said.

Yet her afternoon performance, the best of the field by far, dislodged Riesch from the top spot.

The German, who earned the consolation of topping the provisional World Cup standings on 125 points, said she had been too cautious in the second leg.

"I played it too safe. I should have skied twice with the same aggression as in the morning," she admitted.

While the battle between Riesch and American Lindsay Vonn, who finished a decent sixth, should be the highlight of the overall World cup season, the fight should be as intense in the slalom category between Schild and Riesch.

"To win here on a course that doesn't suit me too much is going to put pressure on my rivals," the Austrian warned.

Both women have made the World Championships in Riesch's home resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in February the main goal of their season. While the German will face the burden of home pressure, Schild is keen to win her first major title.

Both also share the extra motivation of having younger sisters on the circuit pushing hard to make a name for themselves. Riesch's sister Susanne finished just outside the podium places while former junior world champion Bernadette Schild was 17th, her best World Cup result.

"It's great because she was five when I left home to become a full-time skier and I didn't see her grow up. Now we share rooms on the World Cup," said Schild, who at 29 is seven years older than her sister.