Schild wins slalom

Schild, the most successful active slalom skier with 23 wins in the discipline, outclassed the rest of the field in a combined time of one minute and 34.95 seconds.

Her task was made easier after overall World Cup leader Lindsey Vonn and world and Olympic champion Maria Riesch failed to complete the first leg.

American Vonn still leads her German friend and rival by three points in the standings.

Finn Tanja Poutiainen, fastest in the morning run, finished second, 0.78 seconds behind Schild for her 21st World Cup podium in a slalom.

Third place went to Slovenian all-rounder Tina Maze, who trailed Schild by a huge 1.98s.

"It was a great race. I just tried to have good feelings and have fun in the second leg," said Schild, who won a slalom in Levi, Finland last month.

Riesch, clocked fast intermediate times but straddled a gate on the finishing part of the tricky course, staging a World Cup race for the first time in 31 years.

Vonn, who will spend Christmas at Riesch's home as usual next weekend as the World Cup schedule does not leave enough time for her to return home, was more cautious but also went straight into a gate, losing a ski in the process.