Paerson Returns to Winning Ways

Paerson had failed to finish higher than seventh in any of her previous races this season.

Sweden's Anja Paerson celebrated her first World Cup win of the season with a well-deserved victory in Saturday's St Moritz downhill.

Paerson, who had failed to finish higher than seventh in any of her previous races this season, put in a smooth performance on the steep Corviglia course to set the day's best time of 1:39.32.

Lindsey Vonn of the United States came a close second, crossing the line 0.08 of a second slower than her Swedish rival after an attacking run in which she nearly lost her balance in the final section.

Germany's Maria Riesch followed up on her fourth and second place finishes in this month's Lake Louise speed events with third, trailing Paerson by 0.33 of a second.

"I wouldn't say it was that much of a surprise," said Paerson after picking up the 36th World Cup win of her career, and her first since winning last season's closing super-G race in Lenzerheide.

"I've always shown that I can be really quick on this slope and I have started to find the motivation again that was missing at the earlier races this season. The conditions were just perfect for me today and I really feel like I'm back."

Vonn, who raced as Lindsey Kildow before her marriage to former U.S. team mate Thomas Vonn in September, had looked on course for a courageous win after finishing her run more than a second faster than the 15 women to race before her.

After seeing her time narrowly beaten by Paerson, Vonn received the consolation of topping the downhill standings, climbing above former leader Britt Janyk of Canada, who had to settle for eighth place.

Austria's Marlies Schild was able to hold on to top spot in the overall women's rankings despite failing to finish in the points on Saturday.

Schild's lead over fellow Austrian Nicole Hosp was reduced to just four points, however, after the defending overall champion managed an 18th place finish in St Moritz.