Slovak Vlhova claims giant slalom gold at World Championships

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Petra Vlhova of Slovakia edged Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States in women's giant slalom at the FIS World Ski Championships in Are, Sweden.

Vlhova finished the race in two minutes 1.97 seconds to win her first major international tournament title and the first World Championship gold for Slovakia.

"I am so proud that I am from Slovakia because we are not a big country and now I am a world champion so it's amazing. The whole team did a great job, and finally I showed everyone who Petra from Slovakia is," Vlhova said.

Viktoria Rebensburg of Germany, who came first after the first run, bagged a silver 0.14 seconds behind Vlhova. World Cup overall and GS leader Shiffrin settled for a bronze.

Petra Vlhova of Slovakia wins the gold medal during the FIS World Ski Championships Women's Giant Slalom on February 14, 2019, in Are, Sweden. /VCG Photo

Vlhova has three other World Cup wins to her name this season, as well as seven second places, mostly behind Shiffrin.

Shiffrin said it was "really motivating to have an opponent that's always there, not only in slalom but also in GS, and fighting to be on the top step in every discipline the way that I am."

The pair will stage a rematch in the slalom contest on Saturday, when both will be aiming for their second gold of the championships after Shiffrin won the Super-G title last week.

(With input from agencies.)