Switzerland's Sylviane Berthod won the first World Cup downhill of her career by beating off the challenge of Isolde Kostner in St Moritz.

Twenty-four year old Berthod completed the 705m-drop Enngiandina course in 1 minute 34.05 seconds, 0.05s ahead of Kostner.

The famous piste was the sight of a dramatic accident involving Berthod two years ago which brought her season to an early close.

Reigning World Cup champion Kostner had won the first two downhill races of the season at Lake Louise, Canada.

Kostner started the race in 30th position and beat Berthod's Swiss compatriot Corinne Rey Bellet into third place.

Finishing times in the speed race were tightly packed, with the top 11 finishers within a second of the winning time.

It was Switzerland's first podium finish at St Moritz since 1999.

There is now just a super-G on Saturday before the women's tour takes a brief Christmas break.

Women's World Cup downhill results

1 Sylviane Berthod, Switzerland, 1:34.05
2 Isolde Kostner, Italy, 1:34.10
3 Corinne Rey Bellet, Switzerland, 1:34.13
4 Selina Heregger, Austria, 1:34.36
5 Hilde Gerg, Germany, 1:34.51
6 Renate Goetschl, Austria, 1:34.52
7 Tanja Schneider, Austria, 1:34.83
8 Michaela Dorfmeister, Austria, 1:34.84
9 Carole Montillet, France, 1:35.01
10 Caroline Lalive, United States, 1:35.02