Zagreb - Maria Riesch of Germany won her third successive slalom in Zagreb Sunday to take the overall lead in the women's alpine ski World Cup standings.

Riesch benefited from a mistake by Lindsey Vonn of the United States who crashed out shortly before the finishing line when she appeared to be on the way to a clear victory.

Riesch clocked 1 minute 58.96 seconds for the two runs, with Italian Nicole Gius second, 0.44 seconds behind, and Sarka Zahrobska of the Czech Republic third, 0.63 seconds back.

Vonn, the reigning World Cup champion, had led from the first leg but a mistake shortly before the end of the second run when leading by almost a second cost her the race and her overall lead in the standings.

"It was a gift for me," Riesch said.

"I am sorry for Lindsey. I wouldn't have beaten her today if she hadn't have gone out."

Riesch now has 607 points overall, with Finland's Tanja Poutiainen, who finished seventh, moving second on 534 and Vonn slipping to third on 530.

Riesch extends her lead in the slalom standings to 400 points, with Vonn on 290 and Zahrobska on 284. (dpa)