Fabienne Suter claimed victory in the World Cup downhill in Bansko

Swiss skier Fabienne Suter claimed her first ever victory in a World Cup downhill race at the Bulgarian resort of Bansko.

The 24-year-old, who had only previously managed one top 10 finish in the discipline before, came home in a time of one minute and 45.68 seconds.

Suter was aided by the course being better suited to super-G specialists like herself. She won twice over the longer distance last season.

Austria's Andrea Fischbacher was second a further 1.15 seconds back while Lindsay Vonn managed to grab a share of third place, along with Italy's Nadia Fanchini.

Vonn was still hampered by the hand injury sustained when opening a bottle of champagne after winning gold at the recent World Championships.

However, she remains on top of the overall World Cup standings. Sweden's Anja Paerson failed to finish the race.

World Cup downhill, Bansko

1. Fabienne Suter (Switzerland) 1min 45.68secs

2. Andrea Fischbacher (Austria) 1:46.83

3. Lindsey Vonn (U.S.) 1:46.92

3. Nadia Fanchini (Italy) 1:46.92

5. Lara Gut (Switzerland) 1:47.10