LEVI, Finland (AP)—Maria Riesch of Germany won the opening women’s World Cup slalom Saturday, edging Lindsey Vonn of the United States by 0.08 seconds.

Maria Riesch of Germany clears a pole during the second run of FIS Alpine World Cup women's slalom competition in Levi, Finland, on Saturday Nov. 14, 2009. (AP Photo / LEHTIKUVA / Mikko Stig)

Riesch, the defending world slalom champion, finished with a two-run time of 1 minute, 48.71 seconds on the Black Course.

Germany's Maria Riesch clears a gate on her way to win an alpine ski, women's World Cup Slalom, in Levi, Finland, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

Tanja Poutiainen of Finland was 1.16 behind in third place and kept the overall World Cup lead. Poutiainen won the opening giant slalom race of the season last month in Austria.

Finland's Tanja Poutiainen clears a gate during the first run of an alpine ski, women's World Cup Slalom, in Levi, Finland, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Vonn, who was ninth in Austria, earned her first career slalom win in Levi last year and went on to win the overall title, as well as the downhill and super-G trophies.

Lindsey Vonn of the United States clears a gate on her way to set the second fastest time, during the first run of an alpine ski, women's World Cup Slalom, in Levi, Finland, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Former overall champion Anja Paerson, who had the fourth fastest time in the opening run, nearly straddled a gate late in the second run. The Swede regained her rhythm, but the mishap cost her several seconds. She wound up 24th among the 29 finishers, 3.70 seconds behind Riesch.

By STEPHAN NASSTROM
AP Sports Writer
14/11/2009

Germany's Maria Riesch, center, winner of an alpine ski, women's World Cup Slalom, poses with second placed Lindsey Vonn of the United States, left, and third placed Tanja Poutiainen of Finland, in Levi, Finland, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)