SEMMERING, Austria (Reuters) - Germany's Maria Riesch continued her stunning slalom form with a second successive victory in a World Cup race at Semmering on Monday.

Germany's Maria Riesch speeds down the course on her way to win an alpine ski, Women's World Cup Slalom race, in Semmering, Austria, Monday, Dec. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Riesch, who had won only one slalom before this season in 2004, made it two in just over a fortnight and admitted the win, in one minute 55.97 seconds, was more than she expected.

"It's unbelievable. I hardly expected to win a slalom this season, but two in succession," she told reporters.

Riesch, one of the most versatile skiers on the women's circuit, also won in La Molina, Spain, on Dec 14.

In the floodlit race at the prestigious Austrian slalom stadium, the German beat her two leading rivals for the World Cup overall standings, Finn Tanja Poutiainen and American Lindsey Vonn.

Finland's Tanja Poutiainen speeds down the course on her way to clock the secontd fastest time during the first run of an alpine ski, Women's World Cup Slalom race, in Semmering, Austria, Monday, Dec. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

Lindsey Vonn of the United States speeds down the course on her way to take third place in an alpine ski, Women's World Cup Slalom race, in Semmering, Austria, Monday, Dec. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Poutiainen finished 0.21 seconds off the pace, while Vonn salvaged third place after a modest first run, finishing 0.72 seconds adrift.

In the World Cup standings, Vonn leads Riesch by 23 points on 530.

Third place was a relief for the American, who had struggled to finish her races in recent weeks.

Lindsey Vonn, of the United States, celebrates at finish line after taking third place in an alpine ski, Women's World Cup Slalom race, in Semmering, Austria, Monday, Dec. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

"I'm glad because it was so close for the (World Cup leader's) red bib. It's too early in the season to think about it but I'm glad I'm holding to it," she said.

Riesch and World Cup holder Vonn are the best of friends on the circuit and spent Christmas together.

"I was used to being on the podium next to Lindsey, but in the past, she was on the top spot. It's changing a bit," said Riesch.

"What matters in slaloms is confidence and my win in La Molina helped in this respect."

Both Riesch and Vonn are enjoying their best seasons in slaloms and two reasons may help explain their good form.

They have started using men's skis and the best slalom specialist in recent seasons, Austria's Marlies Schild, is out injured.

"When she returns, it'll probably be a different ball game but we're enjoying it while it lasts," said Vonn.

The World Cup circuit resumes in 2009 with slaloms in Zagreb on Jan 4 for the women and Jan 6 for the men.

Reporting by Manuele Lang
edited by Francois Thomazeau and Miles Evans
Reuters
December 29, 2008

Kathrin Zettel of Austria passes a pole during the women's alpine skiing World Cup slalom race in Semmering December 29, 2008. REUTERS/ Dominic Ebenbichler (AUSTRIA)

Croatia's Ana Jelusic speeds down the course on her way to take sixth place in an alpine ski, Women's World Cup Slalom race, in Semmering, Austria, Monday, Dec. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Croatia's Ana Jelusic reacts after the women's alpine skiing World Cup slalom race in Semmering December 29, 2008. REUTERS/ Dominic Ebenbichler (AUSTRIA)

Finland's Tanja Poutiainen celebrates at finish line after winning an alpine ski, Women's World Cup Slalom race, in Semmering, Austria, Monday, Dec. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Germany's Maria Riesch, center, the winner celebrates on podium with second placed Tanja Poutiainen, of Finland, left, and third placed Lindsey Vonn, of the United States, after an alpine ski, Women's World Cup Slalom race, in Semmering, Austria, Monday, Dec. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)