MARIBOR, Slovenia (Reuters) - Austria's Elisabeth Goergl ended Denise Karbon's run of success with victory in a women's giant slalom on Saturday.

Elisabeth Goergl of Austria competes during the World Cup women's giant slalom race in Maribor, Slovenia. Goergl ended Denise Karbon's domination of the women's giant slalom to claim her maiden World Cup victory in the discipline. (AFP/Hrvoje Polan)

Italian Manuela Moelgg equaled her best World Cup result with second place while Karbon, winner of the first four races held in the discipline this season had to settle for third, 1.72 seconds off the pace.

Manuela Moelgg, of Italy, speeds down the course on her way to setting the second fastest time during the first run of an alpine ski, women's World Cup giant slalom, in Maribor, Slovenia, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

It was a first World Cup win for Goergl, the daughter of downhiller Traudl Haecher and sister of men's giant slalom specialist Stephan.

The 26-year-old had been the most consistent Austrian in the discipline this season, finishing twice on the podium.

Elisabeth Goergl, of Austria, celebrates in the finish area after winning an alpine ski, women's World Cup giant slalom, in Maribor, Slovenia, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

"It's a special emotion as I had been waiting for this for so long," said Goergl.

"I'd felt last week with my podium place in the Czech Republic that I was ready. Now this is a new start and I have proved I can ski two solid runs."

Karbon, bidding to equal compatriot Deborah Compagnoni's record of winning the five first giant slalom races of the season, blew her chances in the morning run, with only the sixth fastest time. A solid second leg was enough to put her on the podium.

"I cannot start to complain because I'm on the podium," she said.

"What's happening to me this season is unbelievable and I made too many mistakes today in the first leg to expect more."

Moelgg, whose brother Manfred is also a World Cup skier, said her second place was the result of hard work with all the Italian team in the off-season.

"I felt very, very strong in the second leg and I now know what I have to do. Newt time will be the right time," she said.

The women's program in Maribor continues on Sunday with a slalom.

By Manuele Lang
Reuters
(Editing by Clare Fallon)
Sunday January 13, 03:37 AM

Tanja Poutiainen, of Finland, speeds down the course on her way to setting the fourth fastest time, during the first run of an alpine ski, women's World Cup giant slalom, in Maribor, Slovenia, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Elisabeth Goergl, of Austria, center, winner of an alpine ski, women's World Cup giant slalom, poses with second placed Manuela Moelgg, of Italy, left, and third placed Denise Karbon, of Italy, in Maribor, Slovenia, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

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