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Kathrin Hoelzl proved her giant slalom world title was no isolated feat when she earned her maiden World Cup victory at Aspen.

The German skier surprised everyone last season by grabbing the discipline's gold medal at the Val d'Isere world championships without a World Cup win behind her.

She set the record straight in a combined time of two minutes 9.63 seconds in Aspen.

Austria's Kathrin Zettel, second in the season-opener in Soelden last month, had to settle for the runner-up spot once again, losing by 0.24 seconds.

Third place went to Italian Federica Brignone, earning her first podium place at 19 in only her fifth World Cup race. She finished 1.13 behind Hoelzl.

"The equipment was great today. I did not like Aspen very much in the past but I do now," said Hoelzl, who had been on a World Cup podium only twice in the past.

"Obviously this an important season for me with the Vancouver Olympics as my main goal," she added.

Hoelzl was fastest in the morning run on the icy course and she held her position thanks to a clean afternoon performance.

American Lindsey Vonn again proved incapable of overcoming her giant slalom jinx. The 2008 and 2009 overall World Cup champion hit a stone in the morning run and failed to qualify for the second leg.

Vonn, who has won 22 World Cup races in all disciplines except the giant slalom, will be out for revenge in Sunday's slalom on the same piste.

Finn Tanja Poutiainen, the winner of the opening giant slalom in Soelden, was hampered by a back injury and had to settle for the 26th spot, more than five seconds off the pace.

Alpine Skiing World Cup Aspen:

Women's Slalom 1st Run - Sunday 5pm LIVE on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin Media 521) & Eurosport Player

Women's Giant 2nd Run - Sunday 8pm LIVE on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin Media 521) & Eurosport Player

Reuters