" border="0" vspace="0" hspace="0"> Stechert said she had 'no clue' how she won the race

Gina Stechert edged out world champion Lindsey Vonn to claim her maiden World Cup downhill victory on Saturday.

The 21-year-old flew down the course in Tarvisio, Italy, in one minute 59.94 seconds to beat Vonn by 0.01 seconds.

"Not only have I won, which is something I had never even dreamed of, but I beat Lindsey Vonn, who has won so many races and titles," said Stechert.

"I have no clue how this happened," added the German, whose previous best finish was fourth.

German skiers have now won the last four women's races.

Kathrin Hoelzl won the giant slalom world title in Val d'Isere while Maria Riesch won slalom gold at the world championships and a World Cup super-combined on Friday.

606: DEBATE Give your views on the Tarvisio event

The World Cup programme in Tarvisio continues with a super-G on Sunday and Vonn, who has been hampered by a hand injury since cutting her thumb opening a bottle of champagne at the world championships, made it clear she was out for revenge.

"My hand might explain why I'm only second but I'm determined to win tomorrow (Sunday)," she said.

"I didn't come here to finish second, especially as this weekend is a crucial one to take a commanding lead in the World Cup standings."

Vonn leads the overall standings with 1,274 points, 207 ahead of Riesch.

Switzerland's Didier Cuche built on his World Championship success to win his first World Cup race of the season in the men's giant slalom.

Cuche, who was crowned champion in the super-G and won the silver medal in the downhill at Val d'Isere, clocked two minutes and 49.57 seconds to earn the ninth World Cup win of his career.

He finished ahead of Austrian pair Stephan Goergl, who had not reached a podium for three years, and world silver medallist Benjamin Raich, to win only his second World Cup giant slalom.

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