LIENZ, Austria (Reuters) – Germany's Kathrin Hoelzl strengthened her position as number one giant slalom specialist with a World Cup win in Lienz on Monday, while overall leader Lindsey Vonn did not finish after crashing and hurting her arm.

Germany's Kathrin Hoelzl clears a gate during an alpine ski, Women's World Cup giant Slalom first run, in Lienz, Austria, Monday, Dec. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

Hoelzl, winner of her first World Cup race in Aspen earlier this month and the discipline's world champion, secured victory in a combined time of two minutes 16.61 seconds.

Germany's Kathrin Hoelzl clears a gate during an alpine ski, Women's World Cup giant Slalom first run, in Lienz, Austria, Monday, Dec. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Thanks to a blistering second run, Italy's Manuela Moelgg fought back from 13th in the morning to take second place 0.05 seconds behind, while France's Taina Barioz held on for third place.

Italy's Manuela Moelgg speeds down the slope, during an alpine ski, Women's World Cup giant Slalom first run, in Lienz, Austria, Monday, Dec. 28, 2009.(AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

France's Taina Barioz clears a gate during an alpine ski, Women's World Cup giant Slalom first run, in Lienz, Austria, Monday, Dec. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

The race was marred by Vonn's crash in the morning run. The American, winner of the overall World Cup for the past two seasons and favorite in the speed events for February's Winter Olympics in Vancouver, lost her balance halfway down the Schlossberg piste and fell on her right hip.

The downhill and super-G world champion was able to make it back on her skis, holding her injured left arm. "It hurts in the left arm and hand," she told Austrian television.

She was taken to hospital and doctors said she did not suffer a fracture, only some swelling, and should be able to start Tuesday's slalom on the same slope.

"It's not a classic broken wrist, but a swelling or edema in the bone," said doctor Eduard Sporer from Lienz district hospital, who added that Vonn would be able to race in the slalom. Vonn underwent X-ray and MRI scans at the hospital before the doctor gave the all clear.

The American did not lose any ground in the race for the overall crystal globe since closest rival Maria Riesch also failed to finish the first leg and did not score points.

Defending overall World Cup champion Lindsey Vonn of the US reacts with her arm in a sling after crashing in the first run of an alpine ski, Women's World Cup giant Slalom, in Lienz, Austria, Monday, Dec. 28, 2009. Vonn lost balance on a bump after a sharp left turn and fell backwards, hitting a gate and losing a ski. She stood up after lying down for almost 10 minutes and receiving first aid, put her skis back on and headed down the hill with her left arm in a sling. 'My arm really hurts,' she said as she climbed into a waiting ambulance. 'I don't know what has happened. I believe it's broken.' (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

The day belonged to Riesch's team mate Hoelzl, the Val d'Isere world champion being the only skier able to hold Moelgg at bay.

The Italian was 1.19 seconds faster than the German in the second leg yet was again denied her first victory by a slim margin.

Barioz, who recorded her first podium finish, confirmed the good form of the French women's team, who won both races in Are two weeks ago thanks to Tessa Worley and Sandrine Aubert, one of the favorites for Tuesday's slalom.

By Manuele Lang
Editing by Sonia Oxley
REUTERS
28/12/2009

From left, second-placed Manuela Moelgg of Italy, winner Kathrin Hoelzl of Germany and third-placed Taina Barioz of France, smile on the podium of their alpine ski, Women's World Cup giant Slalom race, in Lienz, Austria, Monday, Dec. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

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