Worley wows in Sölden season opener

Tessa Worley, the 2018 runner-up in the World Cup giant slalom standings and 2017 title winner in the discipline, started off her 2018/19 winter with a stunning performance in challenging conditions on the Rettenbach Glacier in Sölden, Austria, at the opening Audi FIS Ski World Cup. The Frenchwoman attacked the notoriously steep pitch through persistent snowfall to rocket from third place after the first run to the top of the podium in front of 10,000 excited fans. Despite 11 prior starts at the venue, it was her career-first victory in Sölden.

Federica Brignone of Italy missed 45 days of summer skiing when she sustained a strained knee ligament and bone bruise in a crash during super-G training in Zermatt. Despite her shortened preparation period, she skied the fastest first run in Sölden and followed up with an impressive performance on the second run as well in rugged conditions to claim second place.

The 2018 Overall World Cup winner Mikaela Shiffrin of the U.S. moved from fourth position onto the podium with a crowd-pleasing second run that kept fans on the edge of their seats. When she crossed the finish line with a near one-second advantage over the previous leader, she was in solid contention for the podium but still had to await the skiing of three more challengers.

Viktoria Rebensburg of Germany, the 2018 giant slalom title winner, slid from second position in the first run back to fourth place on the day, ensuring Shiffrin's podium and also an exciting battle between the world's best skiers that is certain to play out at future tour stops all winter long.

Austria's Katharina Truppe made the biggest leap of the day from bib 58 to 17th place, while her teammate Stephanie Brunner made a beyond impressive comeback from a torn ACL at the end of last season to finish in a tie for fifth place. Team Norway placed four skiers in the top 10, including Ragnhild Mowinckel who tied with Brunner.

See full results from today's race here.