Germany's Maria Riesch celebrates after winning the women's slalom on Saturday. (Luca Bruno/Associated Press)

Maria Riesch of Germany won the women's slalom at the alpine skiing world championships in Val D'Isere, France on Saturday, while American Lindsey Vonn fell as she competed despite cutting her thumb on a broken champagne bottle this week.

Riesch finished in one minute 51.80 seconds over two runs down the steep Face de Bellevarde course to claim gold in the final women's event of the world championships.

Defending champion Sarka Zahrobska of the Czech Republic finished second, 0.77 of a second behind Riesch. Tanja Poutiainen of Finland was third, 1.09 back.

Vonn, who has won two golds at worlds for the U.S., cut her thumb while celebrating her downhill victory Monday and required surgery. She used a brace on her hand and was second after the opening run before tumbling on her second trip down.

The reigning World Cup overall champion landed on her side, holding her injured thumb up to avoid crashing on it.

"It's OK," Vonn said. "It was hurting and then I crashed so now it's hurting even more."

Anna Goodman of Pointe Claire, Que., had a career day to finish 12th. Her best result on the World Cup circuit is 19th, which she has achieved three times.

"I made a few mistakes but I kept fighting," said Goodman, who was eighth after the opening leg. "I am still happy with the result. I am learning more and more that I can be right in there."

Brigitte Acton of Mont-Tremblant, Que., faltered late in her second run to drop to 25th from 18th.

Marie-Michèle Gagnon pf Lac-Etchemin, Que., was unable to complete her opening run.

Four Canadians will compete in Sunday's closing men's slalom. That race will be shown live on bold and CBCSports.ca (3:55 a.m. ET) and later on CBC Television (3 p.m. local).

With files from the Associated Press