Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com). Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it exclusively produces is in the public domain. Kostelic Wins Third Gold at World Championships ----------------------------------------------- http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=B8F3C2:2AB91D3 Janica Kostelic becomes first woman in 23 years to win three titles in a single world championship Reigning Olympic gold medalist Janica Kostelic of Croatia has won the women's slalom race at the world Alpine skiing championships in Santa Caterina, Italy. Croatia's Janica Kostelic on her way to her third world skiing championship gold medal in Italy.Kostelic became the first woman in 23 years to win three titles in a single world championship when she finished with a two-run time of 1:47.98 minutes. Finland's Tanja Poutiainen won her country's first women's world championship medal by finishing second, 0.18 seconds behind Kostelic. Czech skier Sarka Zahrobska finished third, 0.67 seconds behind the Croatian. Kostelic also won the downhill and the combined titles at Santa Caterina. She was forced to skip the giant slalom earlier this week because of a high fever and cough. The last woman to capture three gold medals at a world championship was Switzerland's Erika Hess, who won the slalom, giant slalom and combined titles in Schladming, Austria in 1982. Some information for this report provided by AP, and AFP. .