Klopfenstein and Amanda Salzgeber of Austria, the Super-G and alpine combined champions, respectively, were among the medal contenders heading into the giant slalom competition.

The duo faced a tough task after the opening run, where they placed fifth and sixth out of the 78 starters.

Finland's Rosa Pohjolainen led the field in 1min 4.99sec, with Hanna Aronsson Elfman of Sweden 0.39sec off the pace.

France's Caitlin McFarlane and Germany's Katharina Haas were separated by 0.02 seconds in third and fourth place.

Klopfenstein leapfrogged the top four in the second run of the competition as the home favourite continued her stunning start to the Winter Youth Olympic Games.

The 17-year-old crossed in 1:03.07, the second fastest run, to end with a total time of 2:08.68.

Klopfenstein had been a reserve member of the Swiss team only one week ago, but has now emerged as the early star of the Games with two golds and one bronze medal.

Silver was secured by Pohjolainen as the midway leader finished 0.14 seconds adrift of the winner.

She ended just 0.01 clear of Salzgeber, who was rewarded for achieving the third fastest time in the second run of the competition.

The Alpine combined champion rose from sixth place to third, with her overall time of 2:08.83 enough for bronze.

Emma Resnick p the United States finished outside of the podium positions in fourth place.

Resnick had achieved the quickest second run, but her total time of 2:09.16 was not enough for a medal.