Riesch ends five year wait for World Cup win

MARIA RIESCH egded out close friend Lindsey Vonn to win the first ever World Cup slalom staged in Spain.

Riesch also moved to the top of the overall World Cup standings, ahead of Finland's Tanja Poutiainen, a giant slalom winner one day earlier.

The victory was the German's first since she won a slalom in the Finnish resort of Levi five years ago.

She recorded the fastest times on both runs as competitors battled with heavy snow, plunging temperatures and fading light.

"The conditions were a little bit tougher for me because I was starting later, so I tried to just keep it clean and make no mistakes," said Riesch, 24.

"I might have had some slight problems at the start but you don't never make mistakes. I just kept it together.

"Lindsey is a great friend but it's nice to beat here. We are fighting against each other, but we can also be friends and be happy for the other person."

Vonn remains top of the slalom standings, after the 34^th World Cup podium of her career.

"I'm happy with my slalom, I don't think I've ever been so consistent, so things are going well," she said.

"I'm not thinking about the overall place right now, it's much too early and I've got a lot of tough competitors challenging me."

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RELATED: Poutiainen moves to summit of World Cup standings

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