Lindsey Vonn came close to another impressive performance as she secured a second-place finish in a World Cup downhill event in St. Moritz, Switzerland. The 41-year-old American, who made history by winning the circuit’s opening downhill the day before, was narrowly edged out by Emma Aicher of Germany, who finished 0.24 seconds faster.
Vonn attributed her slight setback during the race to a mid-run mistake when she struggled to maintain balance after a jump, forcing her to rely heavily on her left leg to regain stability. Despite feeling fatigued from the previous day’s emotional victory, Vonn acknowledged her strong start but admitted to not executing the bottom section of the course as planned.
Following Vonn’s lead, Sofia Goggia of Italy claimed the third spot, trailing by 0.29 seconds, while Breezy Johnson, the American world champion, settled for fourth place, 0.40 seconds behind. Cassidy Gray emerged as the top Canadian finisher, securing the 42nd position with a time 2.86 seconds off the lead.
Vonn, gearing up for the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics, initially seized the lead on the sunlit Corviglia course but was overtaken by the 22-year-old Aicher, who showcased her speed and skill. Despite her brief retirement and knee surgery, Vonn’s resurgence in the sport positions her as a formidable contender for Olympic medals, proving she can compete with athletes half her age.
Vonn’s impressive performance marked her 140th podium result in her 410th World Cup race, surpassing the previous record held by former Austrian skier Renate Götschl. Aicher’s victory, her third in World Cup events and second in downhill, solidified her status as a versatile skier excelling in multiple disciplines, akin to Vonn’s prime.
In her quest for continued success, Vonn looks ahead to the super-G event in St. Moritz, where she aims to secure another victory. The competition is anticipated to feature top skiers like Mikaela Shiffrin from the United States, known for her exceptional performances in alpine skiing disciplines.
