 Schild had a combined time nearly a second clear of the field |
Austrian Marlies Schild has won the opening slalom of the World Cup ski season at Levi in Finland. She set a time of one minute 45.66 seconds to beat compatriot Nicole Hosp by 0.8secs. Another Austrian, Kathrin Zettel, was third in 1:46.83.
Schild, who was fastest on both runs, said: "I knew I was in good shape."
Swede Anja Paersen, the World Cup favourite while champion Janica Kostelic takes a year off, finished 12th more than two seconds down.
Paerson has had knee surgery and said she was nervous going into the season.
Results from women's slalom, Levi:
1 Marlies Schild (Aut) 1min 45.66secs
2 Nicole Hosp (Aut) 1:46.46
3 Kathrin Zettel (Aut) 1:46.83
4 Ana Jelusic (Cro) 1:46.92
5 Susanne Riesch (Ger) 1:47.30
6 Monika Bergmann-Schmuderer (Ger) 1:47.44
7 Michaela Kirchgasser (Aut) 1:47.52
8 Therese Borssen (Swe) 1:47.92
9 Maria Pietilae-Holmner (Swe) 1:47.93
10 Resi Stiegler (USA) 1:47.96
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