Slovakian skier Petra Vlhova wins World Cup slalom in Slovenia

Slovakian skier Petra Vlhova held on to her first-run lead to win a women's World Cup slalom Sunday in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, after Mikaela Shiffrin failed to finish the opening leg.

Racing in falling snow, Vlhova finished 0.72 seconds ahead of runner-up Lena Duerr of Germany.

Shiffrin's teammate AJ Hurt posted the fastest time in the second run as the American earned her first career World Cup podium in third, 0.87 behind Vlhova.

"I'm really happy and proud," Vlhova said. "It was really tough conditions. Especially the second run was from the first gate to the finish a big fight."

Hurt, wearing bib No. 38, improved from 16th position after the first run.

In 18 previous slalom starts, the Truckee, California native managed to score World Cup points on only two occasions, most recently when finishing 25th in a night race in France in December.

Hurt, whose given names are Amelia Josephine, has one top-10 result in other disciplines from 60 World Cup starts, after finishing ninth in a giant slalom in Tremblant, Quebec, five weeks ago.

Paula Moltzan was the second American to finish in the top five, trailing Vlhova by 1.23 seconds.

"I knew that conditions were going top be hard, so I pushed as much as I can," said Vlhova, who was loudly cheered by a legion of Slovakian fans.

"When I crossed the finish line and I saw the green light, it was explosion. Because in front of so many Slovakian people, it's something different to win."

WATCH | Vlhova takes gold in Kranjska Gora:

Vlhova and Shiffrin have now each won three slaloms this season, with the American leading the standings by five points from Vlhova.

Shiffrin also remained in the lead of the overall standings, 207 points ahead of her Slovakian rival.

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