Brignone Claims Maiden Downhill Victory in World Cup at St Anton

Federica Brignone became the oldest winner of a women's World Cup ski race at 34, claiming her first downhill victory at St Anton.

Lindsey Vonn, the 40-year-old alpine skiing legend, kept her Olympic dream alive with a remarkable sixth-place finish in her World Cup downhill return at St Anton on Saturday. This impressive result marked Vonn's first downhill competition since her comeback to the elite circuit at St Moritz last month.

Italian veteran Federica Brignone, 34, continued her outstanding season by stealing the show at St Anton. Meanwhile, Vonn's comeback story added a nostalgic touch to the event, held at the renowned Austrian ski resort. The 40-year-old American skier started 32nd out of 51 competitors and finished 0.58 seconds behind the leader.

Vonn's exhilarating performance was met with her characteristic enthusiasm, as she raised her arms in triumph after crossing the finish line. Although she didn't win, Vonn's sixth-place finish was a testament to her enduring talent and determination, fueling her ambitions for a successful Olympic comeback.

Lindsey Vonn's Triumphant Downhill Return

Lindsey Vonn, the most successful women's downhill skier of all time with 43 wins, expressed her delight after finishing sixth in her World Cup downhill return at St Anton. “It was fun. I love being back in the start. I feel a little bit more confident and comfortable in downhill than I do in Super G,” she told Eurosport.

Vonn acknowledged that she still has room for improvement, saying, “I still made a couple of mistakes - I know I can be faster - but I think for the first downhill race in six years, it was a pretty good start.” This performance was all the more impressive considering her last top-level downhill competition was at the 2019 World Championships in Are, Sweden, where she took bronze.

Vonn revealed that she had been struggling to focus due to the raging Los Angeles wildfires, which had put her home in the evacuation zone. “My home was in the evacuation zone and even just the thought of losing it was emotional. I can only imagine what it must feel like for the people who lost everything,” she wrote 24 hours before the downhill. She continued, “It's another example to appreciate what you have. No matter how bad your day is, someone always has it worse. I am beyond grateful to be here and I will do my best to make it mean something! Sending my love and prayers to everyone in LA, this one is for you!”

Despite losing momentum towards the end of the slope, Vonn's sixth-place finish was a remarkable achievement, especially considering her return to the sport after a partial knee replacement. Her 14th-place finish in the super-G at St Moritz and this eye-catching sixth place have put her on track to achieve her dream of qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics at Milan-Cortina in Italy. Vonn had left the sport in 2019 after a series of major injuries but has been pain-free since her right knee replacement in April.

Federica Brignone Makes History with First Downhill Win

Federica Brignone, the oldest winner of a women's World Cup ski race at 34, made history by claiming her first-ever downhill victory. She flew down the demanding Karl Schranz course in a time of 1min 16.08sec, securing her third win of the season.

Brignone was joined on the podium by Swiss skier Malorie Blanc, who finished 0.07sec behind, and Czech Ester Ledecka, who trailed by 0.18sec. Austria's Cornelia Huetter, the downhill globe champion, had to settle for seventh place.

The victory marked Brignone's 30th World Cup win, extending her tally. She now trails Huetter by just seven points in the discipline standings. Meanwhile, Italian skier Sofia Goggia failed to finish after crashing out mid-slope, but thankfully walked away unharmed.

Lindsey Vonn, the 2010 Olympic downhill champion, was also in action, finishing sixth in her World Cup downhill return. Vonn has won 43 World Cup downhills, with her last victory coming in 2018. She will be back in action on Sunday for a World Cup Super-G at St Anton.