By USSA

LIENZ, Austria — World Champion Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, Colo.) returned to the site of her first Audi FIS Alpine World Cup slalom podium to further her status as a giant slalom threat after finishing third Saturday in Lienz.

Fourth after the first run with a 0.35 second deficit, Shiffrin charged within 0.01 of second place finisher and discipline leader Jessica Lindell-Vikarby of Sweden.

Austrian Anna Fenninger won for her second straight giant slalom victory in Lienz.

It was the final 2014 Olympic qualification race in women’s giant slalom. The Olympic U.S. Alpine Ski Team will be named Jan. 26.

Julia Mancuso (Squaw Valley) finished 29th and will return to the U.S. for a planned break. Mancuso will return to action for the speed series Jan. 11-12 in Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Austria.

Shiffrin and Resi Stiegler (Jackson Hole, Wyo.) return to action Sunday with a slalom in Lienz.