(Killington) New Zealand skier Alice Robinson took the lead in the Killington World Cup giant slalom after the first run on Saturday.

During a descent affected by strong winds on the upper part of the Superstar course, Robinson set the best time in the last section to beat Swede Sara Hector by six hundredths of a second.

Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami, who won the first giant slalom of the season in Austria last month, was eight hundredths of a second behind Robinson in third place. American Mikaela Shiffrin is fifth.

Robinson, who was junior world champion in 2019, has won three World Cups, all in giant slalom, but none since March 2021.

Shiffrin, who led the overall World Cup standings after three races, avoided major mistakes but lost time in the first two windy sections.

“I’m actually so happy with my race. It took me a few turns to find my rhythm, but then I think it’s the best giant slalom I’ve skied on this slope,” said the American.

Shiffrin has yet to win the giant slalom at the annual East Coast race weekend, which has been part of the World Cup circuit since 2016. She has, however, won five of six slaloms.

Shiffrin was coming off her record 89th career victory in a slalom in Finland two weeks ago while dealing with a bruised knee after a fall in training.

Shiffrin recorded the season title in giant slalom, in 2022, while setting the record for most career victories in the discipline, with 21. She finished sixth in the season opener, there at four weeks.