St Moritz, Switzerland - World champion Anja Paerson of Sweden got celebrated once again in St Moritz as she claimed a big super combined ski race win on Friday.

The World Cup leader Lindsey Vonn of the US, by contrast, crashed out.

Paerson, 27, led the way after the downhill portion and also mastered the slalom run well for a combined total of 1 minute 41.87 seconds.

It was the first win of the season and the 39th overall for the three-time world champion from 2007, who 12 months ago won the super-combined and downhill World Cup races in St Moritz.

Austrian Nicole Hosp trailed by 1.12 seconds in 1:42.99 in second place and Fabienne Suter pleased the home fans with third place for Switzerland in 1:43.47 minutes.

Vonn, meanwhile, crashed out halfway through the slalom run after placing 14th in the downhill.

But the American retains the World Cup lead with 438 points from nine events. Tanja Poutiainen of Finland, who was not competing Friday, has 400 points and third-placed German Maria Riesch improved to 378 with a fourth-place finish on the day.

A downhill is scheduled for Saturday and a super-g for Sunday in St Moritz. (dpa)