Bansko, Bulgaria - Fabienne Suter of Switzerland claimed her first alpine ski World Cup victory of the season with a downhill win in Bansko, Bulgaria on Friday, while Lindsey Vonn of the United States was again on the podium to increase her overall lead.

Suter posted 1 minute 45.68 seconds for a comfortable 1.15-second advantage over Austrian Andrea Fischbacher. Vonn shared third place with Nadia Fanchini of Italy, both 1.24 seconds back.

Vonn, who has now appeared on the podium for six straight races, moved further ahead in the overall standings. Nearest rival Maria Riesch of Germany was well off the pace, 3.24 seconds back, while third-placed Anja Paerson of Sweden failed to finish.

It was a third career World Cup win for 24-year-old Suter following two super-g victories last season. It also follows two second-placed finishes in super-g this season, including the last race in Tarvisio, Italy five days ago when she finished behind Vonn.

It was the first World Cup race in Bulgaria for 25 years, and will be followed by another downhill on Saturday and a super-g on Sunday at the resort about 160 kilometres south of the capital Sofia.

Friday's race had been rescheduled from St Moritz, Switzerland when stormy weather forced organizers to cancel the downhill there on December 21.

Bulgaria last featured on the World Cup schedule in the 1981 and 1984 seasons when men's slalom and giant slalom races were held at Borovets. (dpa)