Sawt Falasteen - Italy's Delago claims debut World Cup win in Tarvisio downhill, Vonn third

Before Saturday Delago had only five World Cup podiums to her name, but she clocked a time of one minute and 46.28 seconds on home snow to finish 0.20sec ahead of Kira Weidle-Winklemann.

The 30-year-old Delago, whose last podium finish was nearly two years ago at Saalbach, jumped to fifth in the downhill standings, 220 points behind leader Vonn who was 0.6 sec further back in third.

"Today has a great significance for me, it hasn't been an easy few years, I can only thank everyone who has supported me," said Delago.

"I've refound my freedom, realised that less is more and here we are."

For Vonn it was a sixth podium finish of a sensational season -- her fifth in five downhill races -- and extended her lead over Emma Aicher, who finished fifth, in the downhill standings to 144 points.

The American star has re-established herself as force in the sport at the age of 41 after coming out of retirement with a titanium knee replacement that allows her to ski pain-free.

With less than three weeks to go until the start of the Milan-Cortina Games, the 2010 Olymic downhil champion again looked in fine form on a foggy Tarvisio piste that was also making a World Cup return.

Vonn was the star of the show the last time Tarvisio held a World Cup weekend in March 2011, winning a super-G and finishing second in both the downhill and the super combined.

- 'Couldn't be better' -

Saturday's result was Vonn's worst ever result at Tarvisio, with two wins and four second-place finishes in her previous six visits.

"This is exactly how I remembered it, everyone is so excited. I met some fans earlier and they were singing songs about me which is awesome," said Vonn to Italian broadcaster Rai.

"I'm so happy to be back on the podium again under tough conditions. It couldn't be better, honestly."

Sofia Goggia continued her struggles with an uncharacteristically slow run, the Italian speed specialist finishing outside the top 10 and 1.35sec off the pace.

Goggia is level on 180 points with Delago in the downhill standings and without a win in a discipline in which she has won the World Cup title four times.

The 33-year-old will be hoping for better from Sunday's super-G on the same piste.

"You can have these up and downs, that's how it is sometimes. But I'm very happy for Nicol," said Goggia to Rai.

Italy is also awaiting news from its other star and overall World Cup title holder Federica Brignone, who is also giant slalom world champion.

Brignone has not competed since suffering double leg break in April and could well arrive at the starting gate for the Olympics without having raced a single event this winter.

She could also forgo the final Italian stage before the Games, in Kronplatz, where a giant slalom is scheduled for Tuesday.

E.Aziz--SF-PST