Hilde Gerg of Germany made up over half a second on the second run to win the Olympic Women's Slalom gold medal.

Gerg, second after the first run, triumphed in a combined time of 1min 32.40sec.

World champion Deborah Compagnoni of Italy, the first heat winner, took the silver in 1:32.46.

And despite losing out on the top place, Zali Steggall made Olympic history by becoming the first Australian to win an alpine event medal when she took bronze with a time of 1:32.67.

Hilde Gerg skied the race of her life in difficult conditions as seven of the first 10 competitors crashed out after failing to conquer the hard packed piste.

Compagnoni: pipped to gold

As Gerg crossed the line and realised she had won, she turned to Steggall, and mouthed "sorry".

Gerg's win comes only a month after she won her first ever World Cup slalom in Bormio, Italy.

"I was born a slalom skier, but I have become a speed skier," she said.

"To return to slalom and win a race is really dream come true for me."

Germany on top

The German women's team has dominated alpine events at Nagano, claiming three out of four titles.

Steggall: Australia doesn't just produce surfers

Germany can also claim part ownership of Stegall's bronze medal; she attributes her success to training with the German team.

"They really push me in training. It has made me a much better skier," she said.

Compagnoni only managed fifth fastest in the second run but she has another bite at gold on Friday when she defends her giant slalom title.

Slalom results

• Hilde Gerg (GER) 1:32.40
• Deborah Compagnoni (ITA) 1:32.46
• Zali Steggall (AUS) 1:32.67
• Martina Ertl (GER) 1:32.91
• Sabine Egger (AUT) 1:33.22
• Ingrid Salvenmoser (AUT) 1:33.39
• Martina Accola (SWI) 1:34.12
• Morena Gallizio (ITA) 1:34.87
• Monika Bergmann (GER) 1:34.99
• Anna Ottosson (SWE) 1:35.24

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