Alpine skiing: Rebensburg ends Maze's winning run

By Manuele Lang

ARE, Sweden (Reuters) - Olympic champion Vitkoria Rebensburg stopped Tina Maze's unbeaten run when she won a women's World Cup giant slalom in Are on Wednesday.

Setting a combined time of two minutes 28.94 seconds, the German outshone her opponents for her eighth World Cup victory.

Austria's Anna Fenninger was second 0.62 of a second adrift while Maze, winner of the first four giant slaloms of the season, finished third, 0.91 of a second off the pace.

While Rebensburg had already twice made it into the top three this season, she was forced out of the season opener in Soelden and struggled in the last giant slalom held in Courchevel three days ago, finishing 15th.

"It was much different, it was a much better piste here, not too icy. That's what skiing is supposed to be," said the German, who is not taking part in Thursday's slalom on the same piste.

"It's good to be back in the lead, it's a good feeling to win again.

"I can really go home now and have a good time and relax a bit with my friends and my family."

The World Cup giant slalom champion said she had not resented Maze's success this season.