Mikaela and Eileen Shiffrin in Cortina: Photo Credit GEPA

Who is racing, when and how to watch the Cortina d’Ampezzo downhill

Today the Cortina d’Ampezzo, Olimpia delle Tofane delivered dramatic ski racing. Sofia Goggia pleased the Italian fans with her fourth 2022-23 World Cup victory. However, the race was much closer than she wished and after the race, she vowed to work to be better tomorrow. Only a few racers concerned her as she sat in the Audi leader’s chair. One of those was USA’s Mikaela Shiffrin. Shiffrin doesn’t ski many downhills, but she makes the most of the ones she does. Shiffrin ended the day fourth. Despite her expressed doubts, the World Cup overall and slalom leader is capable of a downhill podium; if things roll her way, a victory is within her reach. 

It would seem poetic if Shiffrin earned her 83rd World Cup victory in the event she does the least. 

Today Shiffrin was one of three US athletes who finished in the top 15. Breezy Johnson was 9th and Isabella Wright finished 11th. It would not be surprising to see all three do well again tomorrow. Undoubtedly, all three women are skiing with the commitment required to succeed. The trio is benefitting from each other’s success and as the World Championships approach, they are coming into top form. 

The 90 seconds of adrenaline will happen again tomorrow. The snow is fast, and the danger is obvious. However, these are the best women in the world and they appear to embrace the challenge. 

The North American entries include six women – four from the Stifel US Alpine Team. and an independent from both Canada and USA. After falling today, Canada’s Marie-Michele Gagnon is notably missing from tomorrow’s start list. After finishing 6th in today’s Junior World Championship super-G, USA’s Lauren Macuga is en route to Cortina to compete in Sunday’s World Cup. 

North Americans starting in the January 21st Cortina d’Ampezzo downhill

• Bib 12, Breezy Johnson, USST, Rowmark Ski Academy, Atomic
• Bib 18, Mikaela Shiffrin, USST, Burke Mountain Academy, Atomic, Oakley
• Bib 29, Bella Wright, USST, Snowbird Sports Education Foundation, Atomic
• Bib 41, Keely Cashman, USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, Rossignol, LOOK
• Bib 44, Trish Mangan, independent, HoliMont Snowsports, Dartmouth College, HEAD, SWIX, ASP
• Bib 47, Stefanie Fleckenstein, Independent, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, University of Colorado, Rossignol, LOOK, SWIX

The race will begin at 4:00 am Eastern Time and 1:00 am on the West Coast. Remember, live and full replay is available with English-speaking announcers on Ski and Snowboard Live.

Start list and program for the January 21st Cortina d’Ampezzo downhill

Program for Saturday’s January 21st Cortina d’Ampezzo downhill