Alice Robinson's electric second won her the World Cup giant slalom after two of the biggest stars failed to finish the second run on Tuesday at Kronplatz, Italy.
With overall leader Federica Brignone and Olympic champion Sara Hector out of the running, there was a new face on the top step of the GS podium for the first time this season as Robinson finished in one minute 55.28 seconds, 56-100ths ahead of Swiss skier Lara Gut-Behrami (1:55.84) and 0.94 in front of American Paula Moltzan (1:56.22).
Hector, who led the discipline standings, left third to last and lost her balance near the top, crashing straight into a gate and sliding into the side-netting. The Swedish skier let out a yell of annoyance but was on her feet quickly.
There were even bigger gasps of shock when first-run leader Brignone skied out at almost the same point, confirming Robinson's fourth World Cup victory but the New Zealand skier's first in nearly four years.
Britt Richardson, of Canmore, Alta, was the top Canadian in seventh place, followed by Valerie Grenier, of St. Isidore, Ont., in eighth.
WATCH | Robinson wins World Cup giant slalom race in Kronplatz:
Alice Robinson won her fourth career World Cup giant slalom race, in Kronplatz, Italy.Richardson, the reigning junior world champion, was ninth after the first run before improving to finish a World Cup career-best seventh (1:56.93) in her 27th World Cup start.
"A top-10 is really nice and to know that it didn't take anything special, just the same skiing that I've been doing in training, feels really good," said Richardson, who has competed in five of nine GS races this season. "To see that my skiing can be right there with the big dogs feels good. Val pushes me every day to get up there with her so to be in the top 10 with her is pretty special."
"My mother, my aunt and some friends were here for this race. It makes a special day even better to be able to hug them in the finish and to celebrate with them tonight."
WATCH | Canada's Richardson posts a personal best with 7th-place finish:
The 2024 junior giant slalom world champion, Britt Richardson of Canmore, Alta., finished in seventh place at the FIS World Cup giant slalom race in Kronplatz, Italy.Grenier continued her remarkable comeback from injury capturing her third top 10 in four GS races this season.
"Pretty happy with my skiing today, but one big mistake on the second run really cost me a lot," said Grenier, who clocked 1:56.96. "It's frustrating because I had some really good sections today and wanted to put together a great result. I've been pretty consistent so far this season but always looking for more."
Cassidy Gray of Panorama, B.C., was 35th in the first run and missed qualifying for the second.
WATCH | Canadian Grenier finishes 8th in giant slalom in Kronplatz:
Valérie Grenier of St-Isidore, Ont., skied to an eighth place finish at the FIS World Cup giant slalom race in Kronplatz, Italy.Robinson, fifth fastest in the first run, charged down the steep Erta course again at the Kronplatz resort and faced an anxious wait to see if her advantage would hold out.
Brignone and Hector each won two of the previous four GS races this season.
Robinson moved to the top of the GS standings, four points above Hector and 100 above Brignone.
Brignone's lead in the overall standings was trimmed to 55 points by defending champion Gut-Behrami.