Alpine skiing: Italian Bassino wins giant slalom, Shiffrin third
(Reuters) - Marta Bassino led an Italian one-two in the women's World Cup giant slalom in Vermont on Saturday, relegating home hero Mikaela Shiffrin to third place.
Bassino, skiing last in the second run, held her nerve to capture her first World Cup victory at the age of 23.
She raised her arms in celebration on crossing the line in front of a large crowd that braved bitter cold in Killington.
Bassino edged compatriot Federica Brignone by 0.26 of a second, with American Shiffrin a further 0.03 back in third.
Shiffrin, with 61 World Cup wins, could have moved equal second on the women's all-time list with Austrian Annemarie Moser-Proll, but it was not to be.
On a day when the course was shortened due to strong winds on the upper section, Shiffrin placed fifth in the first run before skiing with more aggression in the second.
But the Italians spoiled the party as Bassino posted the fastest time in the first leg and Brignone was quickest in the second.
Shiffrin was at least satisfied with her second run.
"It was a lot better," she said after her sixth straight podium finish in the discipline.
"I felt way smoother with my skis and I was pushing. All in all a pretty good day.
"My consistency is really good. I love this hill. I'm super happy to have a podium here."
Shiffrin will have another chance for a 62nd career win in the slalom event on Sunday.
She holds the all-time World Cup record for slalom victories, after winning in Finland last week, her 41st title in her best event, surpassing Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark's tally.
Fellow American Lindsey Vonn leads the all-time overall list with 82 World Cup wins across all disciplines.
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina, editing by Ed Osmond)
