Federica Brignone of Italy celebrates after winning women's Alpine combined gold ©Getty Images

Italy's Federica Brignone claimed her first major title with victory in the women's Alpine combined on the opening day of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation Alpine Ski World Championships in French resort Corchevel Meribel.

The three-time Olympic medallist powered to glory in a combined time of 1min 57.47sec to become Italy's first-ever winner of the event.

She moved into pole position with 1:10.28 in the super-G before posting 47.19 in the slalom to keep herself at the top of the leaderboard.

Defending champion Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States had looked set to snatch victory having clawed back the 0.96 advantage the Italian had built up.

However, the American made a costly mistake with three gates left as Brignone held on to clinch gold.

"Mikaela told me that I put pressure on her with my super-G," said Brignone.

"I did really two good runs.

Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States failed to defend her title after missing a gate in the second run of the Alpine combined ©Getty Images
Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States failed to defend her title after missing a gate in the second run of the Alpine combined ©Getty Images

"What was missing in my career was a gold medal and I am so, so excited and happy about today.

"Two years ago in Cortina I was first after super-G and then I just did three gates.

"I am really proud of how I concentrated and how my attitude was today in both runs, that was the most important [thing]."

Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener produced the quickest slalom run to seal silver in a combined time of 1:59.09.

There were three Austrians in the top five with Ricarda Haaser getting the better of teammates Ramona Siebenhofer and Franziska Gritsch to clinch bronze in 1:59.95.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow with the men's Alpine combined event.