Italian Speed Queen Goggia Returns to Winning Ways in Cortina

Sofia Goggia claimed her first downhill victory since recovering from injury, winning the World Cup event in Cortina d'Ampezzo, while Lindsey Vonn finished a disappointing 20th.

Sofia Goggia delivered a thrilling performance on home snow, claiming victory in the World Cup downhill at Cortina d'Ampezzo on Saturday. The 32-year-old Italian speed skier put on a fearless display, charging down the Olimpia delle Tofane course in a rapid time of one minute and 33.95 seconds. Goggia's win delighted the local fans, who were treated to a masterclass in speed skiing.

Goggia's victory saw her finish 0.42 seconds ahead of Norwegian Kajsa Vickhoff Lie, with fellow Italian Federica Brignone taking third place, 0.55 seconds off Goggia's pace. The result propelled Brignone to the top of the downhill standings, nine points ahead of Goggia. Following her win, Goggia expressed her joy at triumphing on home soil, saying, “There's nothing better for us Italians than winning here at Cortina. I had my heart in my mouth a bit today. This place means so much more to me than what would otherwise be a normal World Cup race.”

Goggia also acknowledged the competitive rivalry between herself and Brignone, stating, “We're very competitive, we have a good rivalry which pushes us to always go as hard as we can... we both have that hunger to be the best.” Brignone, who took the lead in the downhill standings, expressed her satisfaction with her performance, saying, “I'm really happy today, I managed to ski almost as I wanted. It was amazing conditions, really the slope was really good.” Brignone now holds a slender six-point lead over Switzerland's Camille Rast, who did not compete on Saturday.

Sofia Goggia's victory in the World Cup downhill at Cortina d'Ampezzo marked a significant milestone in her recovery from injuries sustained during a training fall last year. The 2018 Olympic downhill champion suffered multiple fractures in her right leg during a giant slalom training session in Ponte di Legno in February. This latest win is Goggia's first downhill victory since her return to competition, and it comes as a welcome boost after a season marred by injuries.

Goggia's courageous style in alpine speed events has led to a string of injuries throughout her career. However, her impressive performance on Saturday suggests that she is back to her best. With the super-G event scheduled for Sunday in Cortina, Goggia's electric run has set her up nicely for another strong performance. Her victory is also a testament to her determination and resilience in the face of adversity.

Lindsey Vonn, the 2010 Olympic downhill champion, had a disappointing run in Cortina, finishing 20th after briefly threatening to crack the top five. Despite her impressive comeback at the age of 40, Vonn lost pace on the final sector and dropped to 1.68 seconds behind Goggia. Vonn, who has 20 podium finishes in Cortina, including 12 wins, had undergone surgery to partially replace her right knee with a titanium prosthesis in April. With the World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm coming up next month, Vonn will be looking to regain her form and competitiveness.