MARIBOR, Slovenia (AFP) - Slovenian Tina Maze produced a stunning second run to win the women's World Cup giant slalom in front of her home fans here on Saturday.

Slovenia's Tina Maze passes a gate on her way to clock the second fastest time during the first run of an alpine ski, Women's World Cup Giant Slalom in Maribor, Slovenia, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

Maze timed 2min 45.15sec over the two runs, 0.39sec faster than Italian Denise Karbon, the leader after the first run, with Germany's Kathrin Hoezl claiming third spot 0.92sec off the pace.

Italy's Denise Karbon speeds down the course on her way to clock the fastest time during the first run of an alpine ski, Women's World Cup Giant Slalom in Maribor, Slovenia, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

Kathrin Hoelzl, of Germany, passes a gate on her way to clock the fourth fastest time during the first run of an alpine ski, Women's World Cup Giant Slalom in Maribor, Slovenia, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

The 25-year-old Slovenian, who also won the giant slalom here in 2005, sat 0:12sec behind Carbone after the first run but timed 1:23.40 for the second, a staggering 0.48sec faster than the Italian could manage. Maze said her seventh World Cup victory, six of which have come in the giant slalom discipline, had not been a dream.

Slovenia's Tina Maze in action in Maribor on January 10. Maze produced a stunning second run to win the women's World Cup giant slalom in front of her home fans on Saturday. (AFP/Hrvoje Polan)

"It's not a dream but reality," she said. "I knew I could be competitive at the highest level. "To win was not a dream. I'm in good physical condition this season and I'm taking things through to the end. It's the result of this work."

Slovenia's Tina Maze celebrates after winning an alpine ski, Women's World Cup Giant Slalom in Maribor, Slovenia, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

German Maria Riesch's 12th placed finish, more than two seconds off the pace, was enough for her to retain her spot atop the overall World Cup standings. Karbon paid credit to Maze, adding that her own performance had given her heart for next month's World Ski Championships in Val d'Isere. "I'm very satisfied," said the Italian. "I gave everything on the second run but Tina was simply a class above today. It's like a first place. "It hasn't always worked as well as that in recent times, so that gives me confidence for the upcoming races and the world champs."

AFP
Saturday, January 10, 2009, 9:20 PM

Finland's Tanja Poutiainen slaloms past a gate during an alpine ski, Women's World Cup Giant Slalom in Maribor, Slovenia, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Lindsey Vonn of the United States reacts at finish line after an alpine ski, Women's World Cup Giant Slalom in Maribor, Slovenia, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Slovenia's Tina Maze celebrates after winning an alpine ski, Women's World Cup Giant Slalom in Maribor, Slovenia, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Slovenia's Tina Maze , center, the winner, celebrates on podium with second-placed Denise Karbon , of Italy, left, and third-placed Kathrin Hoelzl, of Germany, after an alpine ski, Women's World Cup Giant Slalom in Maribor, Slovenia, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

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