Stephanie Venier (AUT), Sofia Goggia (ITA), Nicol Delago (ITA) and Mirjam Puchner (AUT). Photo: GEPA pictures/ Harald Steiner

Last year’s absence of the thrilling Altenmarkt-Zauchensee race only heightened the excitement surrounding the downhill this time around. The much-anticipated day arrived with pristine conditions and weather, not a single cloud in the sky. Sofia Goggia of Italy took full advantage of the picture-perfect conditions and laid down the day’s fastest run. 

On this downhill course, the athletes straddle the line between letting the skis run and ensuring they are laying it over on the outside ski. The extended course and higher start gate added new elements that are thrilling and challenging for the athletes. 

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Bib-1, Nicol Delago of Italy set a superb pace for the field. She managed to hold off seven racers before her teammate, Sofia Goggia, grabbed the top spot by -0.34. Goggia was holding the World Cup season downhill title lead with 130 points and out of the start she immediately made it clear that she wanted to increase that lead. 

In Goggia style, she attacked the line throughout the course but was on edge with buck wild form, fully sending it from top to bottom. In St. Moritz, Goggia started the season with a 2nd-place finish, +0.15 off Mikaela Shiffrin’s winning time. Then, in Val d’Isère, she got knocked off the podium by a mere +0.20, so she was ready for a triumphant race. 

Goggia achieved a historic milestone by becoming the inaugural Italian athlete, both male and female, to secure victory in the Altenmarkt-Zauchensee downhill event.

She stated, “I think I had a solid race and clean skiing mostly. I knew I could make a difference in the last part,” she continued, “It was really emotional for me after yesterday.”

Austrian Stephanie Venier ran bib-17 and flew through the course, searching for speed around every gate. Before the event today, Venier had four World Cup podiums and one victory. Her last podium was in Crans, Montana, Switzerland, in 2020. This was an exciting day on home snow for Venier. 

Her teammate, Mirjam Puchner, finished with a time that tied Nicol Delago. The two athletes finalized the day, sharing the third-place step. Today was a vigorous Austrian, Italian showdown. 

Yesterday’s winner, Cornelia Huetter (AUT), did not compete today but was in the finish area cheering for fellow racers. Her decision not to race was surprising as she held the 3rd position in World Cup rankings, with a 3rd and 4th-place finish in the first two downhill races of 2024.

North Americans

Mikaela Shiffrin, the winner of the first 2024 downhill in St. Moritz, decided to take the weekend off for recovery, so she did not compete in Altenmarkt-Zauchensee.

The top North American athlete for the downhill was Stifel US Ski Team racer Jacqueline Wiles. Wiles was getting pushed a little late and low, but she aggressively held onto the outside ski. She attacked from start to finish and came through in 14th place, marking Wiles 9th top-15 downhill finish. 

Isabella Wright was the other Stifel US Ski Team athlete to finish in the top 30. Wright ran bib-2 and showed eagerness to take advantage of the prime course. She concluded the day in 17th-place, achieving her 12th top 20 in downhill. 

Keely Cashman and Lauren Macuga pushed hard throughout the track, but did not finish in the top 30. 

Tricia Mangan was attacking the top section of the hill, but leaned in slightly and skied out. 

 Altenmarkt-Zauchensee Downhill Results and Analysis of the Fastest Three and the North Americans in the top 30

Analysis of the Fastest Three and the North Americans in the top 30