Levi, Finland - World champion Maria Riesch of Germany claimed victory Saturday in the opening women's slalom World Cup race of the season in Levi.

Riesch also led after the first run and secured her win in the second World Cup race of the season with a combined time of 1 minute 48.71 seconds. Overall world champion Lindsey Vonn of the United States finished second in 1:48.79 with Finland's Tanja Poutiainen a distant third on 1:49.87 minutes. (dpa)