Soleden, Austria -- Finland's Tania Poutianen narrowly won the women's giant slalom in Saturday's season-opener of World Cup skiing at Soleden, Austria.
Poutianen turned in a combined two-run time of 2:24.96, edging Austrian Kathrin Zettel by .01 seconds.
Denise Karbon took third place and American Lindsey Vonn came in ninth. Karbon sizzled in the first run with a 1:11.52, but her second run was around 2 seconds slower. Both of Poutianen's and Zettel's runs were in the 1:12 range.
Austrian Nicole Hosp, who won the overall title three years ago, was lost for the season when she injured her knee in a crash on the second run of the day.
The men's giant slalom at Soleden takes place Sunday.
