Marion Kreiner wins parallel giant slalom race in Carezza

The Austrian had not won a World Cup race since she topped the podium in Sochi in February 2013.

However, the 33-year-old made the ideal start to her 2014-15 campaign in the giant slalom discipline by defeating Caroline Calve in the Big Final.

Just 2.08 seconds separated the pair in a close encounter, but it was Kreiner who managed to secure the maximum 1,000 points at the Italian venue.

Nadya Ochner gave the home fans in attendance something to celebrate as she completed the podium by beating Natalia Soboleva in the Small Final.

Ochner's achievement ended a seven-year wait for a female Italian to secure a podium place in an alpine snowboarding event.

Germany's Anke Karsten's rounded off the top five, with her compatriot Selina Jorg finishing sixth.