Michaela Dorfmeister continued Austria's perfect start to the World Ski Championships as she took gold in the women's super-G.

Dorfmeister followed the victory of compatriot Stephan Eberharter in the men's event by pipping American Kirsten Clark by just two-hundredths of a second.

Jonna Mendes took bronze to complete a superb opening effort from the United States team.

It was a dream start to the championships Michaela Dorfmeister

They joined Austria on three medals overall for the championships after the silver for Bode Miller on Sunday.

Dorfmeister, the defending downhill champion, was one of the few favourites to justify their billing.

The 29-year-old, last season's World Cup champion, roared down the 2.1km Engiadina course in one minute 27.48 seconds.

But Italy's Karen Putzer, a winner in St Moritz on the World Cup circuit recently, had a nightmare run to finish 1.77secs adrift.

Putzer's team-mate Daniela Ceccarelli, last year's Olympic super-G champion, skied off course, while France's Carole Montillet could only manage 14th.

Croatian Janica Kostelic - the overall leader of the women's World Cup standings - finished a disappointing 1.77secs off the pace in 19th.

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Women's super-G result:

1 M Dorfmeister (Aut) 1min 27.48sec
2 K Clark (USA) 1:27.50
3 J Mendes (USA) 1:27.63
4 G Simard (Can) 1:27.90
5 A Meissnitzer (Aut) 1:28.06
6 M Turgeon (Can) 1:28.12
7 C Rey Bellet (Swi) 1:28.15
8 R Goetschl (Aut) 1:28.26
9 C Ruiz Castillo (Spa) 1:28.39
10 B Obermoser (Aut) 1:28.46