Let's see how she does in her future. While she didn't look as spectacular as some of the other races she ran a mostly clean race (no big mistakes). Several of the favorites had a major mistake, like Vonn, and it also cost them a medal. So it was something of a tricky course.
The other thing the Czech skier took a different line an a crucial turn, less distance and faster time. That was the difference. So here, indeed course information does help.
As far as the rules go, well SuperG has always been run this way. Top 15 are randomly selected for start order, one run only, and there is no course preview so they are all play under the same set of rules. But starting first is like getting lane 8 in an Olympic final in the 200 or 400.