The Finn, who won the season opener in Soelden, pulled her back in training in Aspen and did not compete in Lake Louise last week. And although the injury has improved, Poutiainen has decided to more on her conditioning.

Finland’s Tanja Poutiainen beat local favourite Kathrin Zettel by the slimmest of margins to spoil the show for Austria in the opening giant slalom of the season in Soelden.

Poutiainen won in a combined time of two minutes 24.96 seconds, leaving last year’s winner Zettel just 0.01 adrift.

Italy’s Denise Karbon, fastest in the first run, faltered in the afternoon leg to finish third, 0.32s behind.