 Riesch was making her return from a long injury lay-off |
Maria Riesch sealed her comeback from a serious knee injury with victory in the opening World Cup downhill of the Alpine skiing season at Lake Louise. The 22-year-old Germany claimed her first victory since 2004 in a winning time of one minute 51.31 seconds.
Lindsey Kildow was second in 1:51.74 with Nadia Fanchini, whose sister Elena won the race last year, third.
"It was a total surprise. I was lucky, but I have been so often unlucky so it was my turn," said Riesch.
"But I had no pressure.It's so good to know again that you can win races and that you are not scared of the big injuries.
"That I can win the first downhill after my injuries is just amazing."
The race was halted for 20 minutes when Jessica Lindell-Vikarby crashed heavily and had to be taken away by helicopter.
World Cup downhill result, Lake Louise:
1 M Riesch (Ger) 1:51.31
2 L Kildow (US) 1:51.74
3 N Fanchini (Ita) 1:52.06
4 S Cook (US) 1:52.17
5 A Fischbacher (Aut) 1:52.35
6 K Vanderbeek (Can) 1:52.36
7 D Merighetti (Ita) 1:52.40
8 N Hosp (Aut) 1:52.41
9 I Jacquemod (Fr) 1:52.51
10 C Casanova (Swi) 1:52.61
11 M Dumermuth (Swi) 1:52.81
12 I Rumpfhuber (Aut) 1:52.96
13 C Alcott (GB) 1:52.98
14 S Berthod (Swi) 1:53.03
15 K Clark (US) 1:53.07
16 R Goetschl (Aut) 1:53.14
17 F Aufdenblatten (Swi) 1:53.23
18 M Schild (Aut) 1:53.43
19 A Meissnitzer (Aut) 1:53.56
20 B Janyk (Can) 1:53.61
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