Val d'Isere, France  - Maria Riesch got gold at last at a big event when she won the slalom world title on Saturday from sixth place after the first run.

The German Riesch took the gold with the fastest second run in a combined total 1 minute 51.80 seconds. Defending champion Sarka Zahrobska took silver in 1:52.57 minutes and Tanja Poutiainen of Finland was third in 1:52.89 minutes.

Riesch also won because the top three from the first run met disaster.

Leader Manuela Moelgg of Italy crashed out like second-placed American double world champion Lindsey Vonn. Third-placed Sandrine Aubert finished almost a minute behind Riesch.

Riesch, 23, was tipped to do well at big events for years, but severe injuries denied her competing at the 2005 worlds and 2006 Olympics and saw her not in top form at the
2007 worlds.

She is the leading slalom skier this season having won four of the last five races in the discipline.

Riesch won Germany's second gold in Val d'Isere, following Kathrin Hoelzl's giant slalom success on Thursday. (dpa)