Italian skier Federica Brignone has posted the fastest time in the opening run of the women's giant slalom at the Alpine world championships in Austria.

SESTRIERE, Italy — Italian skier Federica Brignone won the first World Cup giant slalom after taking gold at the world championships on Friday, while Mikaela Shiffrin finished 25th in the American’s first race in the discipline in nearly 12 weeks.

Federica Brignone won the first World Cup giant slalom after taking gold at the world championships, while Mikaela Shiffrin finished 25th in the American's first race in the discipline in nearly 12 weeks.