Petra Vlhová retained her Snow Queen title in Zagreb ©Getty Images

Slovakia's Petra Vlhová retained her Snow Queen title after triumphing at the International Ski Federation (FIS) Alpine Ski World Cup event in Zagreb.

Vlhová took the lead in the first run of the slalom race, claiming a 0.32 second advantage over Austria's Katharina Liensberger.

Michelle Gisin of Switzerland was just 0.38 seconds off the leader. 

The second run did nothing to change the top three, with Vlhová recording a total time of 1:59.08. 

Liensberger was second in 1:59.13 and Gisin finished third in 1:59.30. 

Five-time world champion and two-time Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin just missed the podium finishing fourth with 1:59.35. 

Petra Vlhová maintained her place at the top of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup standings with victory in Zagreb ©Getty Images
Petra Vlhová maintained her place at the top of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup standings with victory in Zagreb ©Getty Images

"It was a really hard day for me today," Vlhová said.

"I had to find my confidence again and the entire day was a fight, especially the second run. 

"I thought I was out of the podium picture, but I kept fighting through the finish."

Vlhová was also last year's recipient of the Snow Queen Trophy, named in honour of Croatia's four-time Olympic champion Janica Kostelić.

As a result of her victory, Vlhová maintained her place at the top of the overall FIS Alpine Ski World Cup standings with 615 points.

Gisin is second with 487, while Shiffrin is third on 385. 

The World Cup is scheduled to continue in St Anton in Austria with a downhill event on January 9 and Super G on January 10.