Riesch clinches slalom crystal globe to complete stunning finish to season

GERMANY'S Maria Riesch rounded off a sparkling few weeks by scooping the World Cup slalom crystal globe by the narrowest of margins in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

GOLDEN GIRL: Maria Riesch finishes third in the slalom in Garmisch - good enough for the crystal globe by just three points (Getty Images)

Riesch has been in scintillating form at the World Cup finale on home soil and has already taken victory in the downhill competition, following up her two gold medals at the Vancouver Winter Olympics last month.

The German may be the only woman to have defeated best friend and overall World Cup champion Lindsey Vonn in the downhill this season, but it is slalom where Riesch's real strengths lie.

She is the defending world champion, the current Olympic champion and now she has defended her slalom World Cup crown by just three points, edging out Austrian rival Kathrin Zettel.

Zettel laid down a marker in the second run in Garmisch, clocking a combined time of 1:50.77 minutes but Riesch came home in 1:51.47 to lie second and pip the Austrian world super combined champion in the overall rankings.

That all but confirmed Riesch's overall title and while Austria's Marlies Schild, the silver medallist in Vancouver behind Riesch, took victory in 1:49.57 in Garmisch, nothing could take the shine off the German's performance.

"It was my goal to win the last race of the season so I'm really happy that I got it. It's been a great season for me after my injury last year," said Schlid.

"We'll see about the World Championships next year. I like the run here though - it's steep and not easy so that's good for me."