Rienda Contreras storms to victory in Ofterschwang

The 30-year-old clocked the fastest time in both runs for a combined total of two minutes 19.52 seconds.

Sweden's overall World Cup champion Anja Paerson was second in 2:20.16 while Austria's Kathrin Zettel finished third in 2:20.36.

It was Rienda's fourth career victory - all of them in giant slaloms - and her second this season after Aspen.

Rienda was the final competitor to go and turned on the speed in the middle of the course on her final run to top Paerson, who still heads this season's giant slalom standings.

"I'm feeling good and hopefully I will try to feel the same at the Olympics," Rienda said.

"I am skiing so well, I think it was perfect out there."

World champion Paerson admits Rienda will head to Turin next week expected to take the Olympic giant slalom gold.

"She can take the favourite's role, I don't mind. She is skiing so well right now," Paerson said.

Croatia's Janica Kostelic held onto her lead in the overall Word Cup standings after taking 14th place.

American Julia Mancuso was 10th, while triple Olympic gold medallist Janica Kostelic was 14th after two mistake-riddled runs.

Friday's giant slalom will be followed by another on Saturday, plus a slalom on Sunday - the final races before the Winter Olympics begin in Turin on 10 February.

Women's World Cup giant slalom results, Ofterschwang
1. Maria Jose Rienda (Spain) 2:19.52
2. Anja Paerson (Sweden) 2:20.16
3. Kathrin Zettel (Austria), 2:20.36
4. Nicole Hosp (Austria) 2:20.68
5. Anna Ottosson (Sweden) 2:20.89
6. Nadia Fanchini (Italy) 2:20.93
7. Tina Maze (Slovenia) 2:20.99
8. Allison Forsyth (Canada) 2:21.14
9. Michaela Kirchgasser (Austria) 2:21.18
10. Julia Mancuso (USA) 2:21.30