ASPEN (UNITED STATES) - Nicole Hosp clinched the World Cup slalom on Sunday, taking advantage of a struggling Mikaela Shiffrin, who was fastest down the first run but finished off the podium in fifth.
Nicole Hosp of Austria celebrates her victory during the 2014 Audi FIS Ski World Cup slalom on November 30, 2014 in Aspen, Colorado
Austria's Hosp won with a two-run time of one minute, 44.90 seconds, finishing 0.19 seconds ahead of Frida Hansdotter of Sweden, while Kathrin Zettel of Austria was third.
"It's crazy, because at the beginning of the season, I thought it would be difficult to win with all the all the young girls pushing so hard," Hosp said. "I am so happy it is working again."
Hosp, the 2007 world champion in giant slalom, benefitted from a disappointing second run by Olympic slalom champion Shiffrin, who finished 1.08 seconds back.
Shiffrin led by 0.11 after the first run Sunday morning but looked out of sorts in the second leg where she posted just the 19th fastest time.
The reigning World Champion and overall World Cup slalom champ finished 11th in the only other slalom race this season which took place two weeks ago in Levi, Finland.
"I have a little bit of work to do in the slalom, and I knew that coming into this race," Shiffrin said.
Zettel held onto her overall World Cup lead. Like Shiffrin, she struggled in the second run but it still worked out for her.
"It was a horrible run. Like a rodeo," Zettel said. "I didn't think it was enough to get a medal. My season has worked out well so far."
The women's World Cup continues with a downhill in Lake Louise, Canada on Friday where American skiing star Lindsey Vonn is expected to race for the first time since last December.
Shiffrin said she would skip the Lake Louise races and return for the giant slalom in Courchevel, France, on December 13.