Sawt Falasteen - Kiwi Robinson leads World Cup giant slalom in Sestriere

The New Zealander is in pole position to claim her second win of the season after finishing 0.19 seconds ahead of newly-crowned giant slalom world champion Federico Brignone.

Paula Moltzan of the USA was third, 0.83sec behind Robinson who leads the discipline standings by just four points from Sara Hector, with the Swede over a second back in fourth.

Brignone is battling the flu on her return to home snow after a stunning victory at the worlds ahead of the second run which starts at 1330 local time (1230GMT).

The 34-year-old gulped down air after finishing her run which gives her a great chance of extending her lead at the top of the overall standings over Lara Gut-Behrami.

Reigning World Cup champion Gut-Behrami did not finish her run and will not be in the 30 skiers contesting the afternoon showdown.

American star Shiffrin will almost certainly have to wait for her 100th win as she continues her comeback from injury after a tentative first run which left the 29-year-old nearly three seconds behind Robinson.

Shiffrin is contesting her first giant slalom since crashing out at Killington in November, an accident which left her sidelined for two months with an abdominal puncture wound that required surgery.

Sestiere hosts another giant slalom on Saturday before a slalom on Sunday.

N.Shalabi--SF-PST