ALPINE SKI WORLD CUP. SOELDEN, Austria – After missing the overall World Cup title by three points last season, Lindsey Vonn was determined to hit this season harder than she ever has before. She couldn’t have packed a bigger punch than the one she delivered in the opening giant slalom race in Soelden on Saturday, landing the victory and her first ever win in a World Cup GS.

First placed United States' Lindsey Vonn speeds down the course during an alpine ski, women's giant slalom in Soelden, Austria, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Shinichiro Tanaka)

"This is just an amazing feeling. I’ve always dreaded Soelden. It’s the first race. I’m always so nervous,” said Vonn, who notched the first World Cup GS podium of her career last season with a third place in Spindleruv Mlyn. “To come out today, first race of the season, the first GS win in my career … words can’t describe the feeling.”

United States' Lindsey Vonn celebrates after winning an alpine ski, women's giant slalom in Soelden, Austria, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

Reigning World Cup giant slalom champion Viktoria Rebensburg missed her second straight victory in Soelden by just 0.04 seconds, taking second to Vonn while Elisabeth Goergl, who hadn’t podiumed in GS since her bronze medal in the 2010 Olympic Games, landed third Saturday, 0.40 seconds back.

Second placed Germany's Viktoria Rebensburg speeds down the course during an alpine ski, women's giant slalom in Soelden, Austria, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Shinichiro Tanaka)

Austria's Elisabeth Goergl celebrates in finish area after placing second in the Woman's Giant slalom at the FIS World Cup in Soelden on October 22, 2011. Vonn won ahead of Germany's Viktoria Rebensburg and Austria's Elisabeth Goergl. (Photo credit SAMUEL KUBANI/AFP/Getty Images)

With the sun shining brightly in a cloudless blue sky, the overflowing crowd in Soelden got what they came for Saturday … an exciting race.

From left, second placed Germany's Viktoria Rebensburg, first placed United States' Lindsey Vonn and third placed Austria's Elisabeth Goergl celebrate on the podium at the end of an alpine ski, women's giant slalom in Soelden, Austria, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

World champion silver medalist Federica Brignone was leading the field after the first run, 0.40 seconds ahead of Rebensburg with Goergl and Vonn within a second of her time going into run No. 2.

Italy's Federica Brignone falls during an alpine ski, women's giant slalom in Soelden, Austria, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Elvis Piazzi)

The last racer down the course, Brignone’s second run ended abruptly when she crashed on the steep top pitch of the Rettenbach Glacier.

FISalpine.com
Saturday 22 October 2011

United States's Linsey Vonn speeds down the course during an alpine ski, women's giant slalom in Soelden, Austria, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

Austria's Elisabeth Goergl speeds down the course during an alpine ski, women's giant slalom in Soelden, Austria, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

Germany's Maria Hoefl-Riesch reacts during the women's giant slalom World Cup race on the Rettenbach glacier in the Tyrolean ski resort of Soelden October 22, 2011. (REUTERS/Dominic Ebenbichler)

United States' Lindsey Vonn (Photo FISalpine.com)

Lindsey Vonn from the U.S. kisses the trophy on the podium after winning the women's giant slalom World Cup race on the Rettenbach glacier in the Tyrolean ski resort of Soelden October 22, 2011. (REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger)

Podium (Photo FISalpine.com)