Vlhova pulls off World Cup slalom upset

The Slovakian was tasked with overhauling fellow 22-year-old Shiffrin, who has also taken the World Cup slalom title in four of the last five seasons, but a storming second run, which saw Vlhova better her opening time of 55.87 seconds, proved decisive in Levi, Finland.

Vlhova, who beat American Shiffrin in the slalom World Cup held in Aspen at the end of last season, was second-last onto the course for her second run but blazed down in 54.11, clocking in at a total of 1:49.98.

That turned the screw on Shiffrin and despite her best efforts, the United States skier had been given too much to do.

Her second run of 54.42 brought up a total of 1:50.08, Vlhova edging her way onto the top of the podium.

"It was amazing because I won [the] last race," said the Slovakian.

"I am really happy because it was a tough race because Mikaela, she's always fast but today, I was fast.

"It's amazing because, like I tell Mikaela, she's really strong [and] fast so for me, it's [the] best day today."

Switzerland's Wendy Holdener finished in a time of 1:51.33, overtaking Frida Hansdotter of Sweden to claim third place.

Great Britain's Charlie Guest failed to break the one-minute barrier, missing it by 0.48 seconds, in her first outing on Saturday morning and did not qualify for a second run. Sportsbeat 2017