The unexpected winner of the race was Marion Rolland of France (1:50.00), who beat out another outsider Nadia Fanchini of Italy (+0.16).

Fanchini, who started with bib no. 2, saw all the favourites finish well behind her time on the frozen and bumpy course, only to be beaten by Rolland as the final of the top 22 starters.

Maze held the lead for two-thirds of the race, before going wide on a long, bumpy turn and losing speed for the key bottom section where Fanchini was blazingly fast.

The 29-year-old Slovenian, who has already taken gold in the super-G and silver in the combined event, finished 1.21 seconds behind the winner.

Third place in the event went to Maria Höfl-Riesch of Germany, who crossed the line 0.7 seconds behind Rolland.