Turgeon set a blistering pace to clock a two-run time of 2 min 22.34sec, beating nearest challenger Petra Smarzova of Slovakia by a margin of 5.92 seconds.

Rounding out the podium was Germany’s Anna-Maria Rieder, who finished 13.40 seconds back.

Among today’s other winners was Austria’s Veronika Aigner as she triumphed in the women’s slalom visually impaired competition in 2:09.13.

Australia’s Melissa Perrine finished second in 2:15.93, while Great Britain’s Menna Fitzpatrick came third in 2:23.38.

Also tasting victory on day one of action were Slovakia’s Miroslav Haraus in the men’s slalom visually impaired, Iceland's Hilmar Orvarsson in the men’s slalom standing and Norway’s Jesper Pedersen in the men’s slalom sitting.

Haraus’ winning time was 2:06.41 with Austria’s Gernot Morgenfurt second in 2:13.50 and home favourite Damir Mizdrak third in 2:31.58.

Orvarsson prevailed in 2:01.71 with the United States’ Thomas Walsh second in 2:02.91 and Switzerland’s Thomas Pfyl third in 2:02.98, while Pedersen was the only skier to post a result in the men’s slalom sitting after Austria’s Markus Gfatterhofer was disqualified in run two and both Italy’s Rene de Silvestro and Poland’s Igor Sikorski failed to finish run one. 

Pedersen registered a time of 2:08.06.

Action in Zagreb is due to conclude tomorrow with the same five events being held again.