The Downhill race at Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, is always a highlight on the FIS calendar. Known as one of the toughest courses on the women’s circuit, last year’s slew of crashes caused concern leading into Saturday’s race. However, the day ended with only two DNFs, neither resulting from crashes, and it was a showcase of thrilling competition. Local favorite Sofia Goggia claimed victory on January 17, sharing the podium with Norway’s Kajsa Vickhoff Lie and Italy’s Federica Brignone.
USA’s Jacqui Wiles kicked off the day with bib 1, setting a solid benchmark of 1:34.94 minutes. Despite a strong run, she was promptly unseated by Norway’s Kajsa Vickhoff Lie in bib 2, who edged ahead by 0.57 seconds. Wiles’ performance, however, earned her a season-high seventh-place finish. Reflecting on her run, Wiles said, “It felt like a solid run. I really needed a solid result this season, so I am really happy with the run that I put down.” The Cortina track, with its steep sections, rollers, and terrain elements, remains a favorite among athletes for its challenging yet flowing nature.
Norway’s Lie held on to her lead, while Elena Curtoni of Italy experienced heartbreak when she lost balance and missed a gate, resulting in a DNF. Fortunately, there was no crash. Likewise, the current Downhill leader, Austria’s Cornelia Hütter, posted a competitive time but fell short of unseating Lie, maybe due to still recovering from the flu. Ultimately, it was only enough for sixth place for the Austrian. Similarly, Lara Gut-Behrami, the reigning Overall Crystal Globe winner, impressed with her ability to pick up speed but made costly mistakes that left her fourth overall. Her teammate Corinne Suter finished just 0.03 seconds behind her, awarding her fifth place.
Federica Brignone delivered an exhilarating run, coming within 0.13 seconds of Lie’s time before losing momentum in the final sector. Despite her frustration at the finish line, Brignone expressed pride in her performance, saying, “In Cortina, it is my first podium, something that I really wanted in my career and was really looking for.”
Czechia’s Ester Ledecka put down a fast and furious run in her trademark style, but also could not unseat Lie, skiing into what was ultimately eighth place. Stephanie Venier, who won the Downhill at Cortina last year, was 14th starter. The Austrian however also failed to unseat Lie, skiing across the finish line 0.82 seconds behind the Norwegian, with a time that ultimately was only enough for 12th place.
The stage was set for Sofia Goggia, the last of the top-15 skiers. Nicknamed “La Regina della Velocità” in her home country (“The Queen of Speed” in English), Goggia displayed her characteristic dominance. Despite falling behind Vickhoff Lie’s pace coming out of the Tofana Schuss, she unleashed a masterful performance in the technical middle section, gaining nearly half a second over her rivals. Goggia crossed the finish line 0.42 seconds ahead of Lie, clinching her 19th World Cup Downhill victory and 31st overall victory. “For us Italians, it’s always a special place in Cortina, and today I felt like I had my heart in my throat,” Goggia said. “I didn’t know who was leading, who was second, who was third. I just had the strategy in my mind.”
The American contingent showed other strong performances. Lauren Macuga, wearing bib 29, had a strong run and finished 16th, building on her momentum from St. Anton, Austria, where she walked away with her first career victory (and podium). Lindsey Vonn, competing in her fourth comeback race in bib 31, skied aggressively but made a critical error in the final sector, landing her in 20th place. “I am a little bit disappointed with my mistake today,” Vonn admitted. “I think I was poised for another top-five result, but that’s what happens in ski racing.” The Cortina crowd, always passionate, was naturally thrilled by the performances of their homegrown stars, but also celebrated the legendary Vonn in the finish area.
Meanwhile, Keely Cashman earned the Stifel Bibbo Award which goes to the skier that advances the most in rankings based on their bib number. Cashman, in bib 44, skied into 28th place, earning her valuable FIS points.
With her win, Goggia cemented her status as the “Queen of the Downhill” and solidified her position as a favorite for the Olympic Downhill gold medal on the same piste at Milano Cortina 2026. “Cortina is not just a Downhill, or a race. It means the world to me,” Goggia said.
As the women’s tour moves toward Sunday’s Super-G, the anticipation remains high. With the weather and snow conditions expected to be as perfect as they were for the Downhill, the stage is set for another exciting chapter at the Olimpia delle Tofane.
