Goggia, Aicher, Brignone: GEPA picture
Why, When and How to Watch the Women’s World Cup Super G #2 in La Thuile
The Final Super-G Showdown in La Thuile
March 14 marks the final super-G of the regular season; for most, it will be the end of the World Cup season. With just one more race before the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho, this event is a crucial opportunity for skiers to solidify their standing. Keely Cashman, ranked 26th, is on the bubble and fighting to break into the top 25 and extend her season. Meanwhile, athletes across much of the field will aim for a top 30 ranking to guarantee preferred start positions for next season, while others fight to finish in the top 60 and secure nation spots for their country.
With everything from qualification to season rankings on the line, skiers will be inspired to ski with aggression and speed, knowing that it’s the last chance to make an impact and improve their rankings before the end of the regular season The race will be a high-stakes showdown, with athletes pushing the limits to secure their futures in the World Cup.
Thursday’s Super-G in La Thuile
The winner of Thursday’s La Thuile super-G was 21-year-old German Emma Aicher. This marked her second World Cup victory, but her first in super-G. To the delight of the Italian crowd, Sofia Goggia, currently third in the season’s super-G standings, finished second. Meanwhile, Federica Brignone, the season’s overall leader and second in super-G standings, claimed third.
Friday will offer the skiers their last chance to move up the ranks before the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho.
This Season’s World Cup Super-G Podium Finishers
| Race Location | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Creek, Birds of Prey, USA | Sofia Goggia (ITA) | Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) | Ariane Raedler (AUT) |
| St. Moritz, Switzerland | Cornelia Hütter (AUT) | Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) | Sofia Goggia (ITA) |
| St. Anton, Austria | Lauren Macuga (USA) | Stephanie Venier (AUT) | Federica Brignone (ITA) |
| Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy | Federica Brignone (ITA) | Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) | Corinne Suter (SUI) |
| Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GER | Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) | Kajsa Vickhoff Lie (NOR) | Federica Brignone (ITA) |
| Kvitfjell, Norway | Federica Brignone (ITA) | Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) | Sofia Goggia (ITA) |
| La Thuile, Italy Race 1 | Emma Aicher (GER) | Sofia Goggia (ITA) | Federica Brignone (ITA) |
– Austria (AUT) – 3 podiums, 3 racers: Cornelia Hütter, Stephanie Venier, Ariane Raedler
– Germany (GER) – 1 podium, 1 racer: Emma Aicher
– Italy (ITA) – 9 podiums, 2 racers: Sofia Goggia, Federica Brignone
– Norway (NOR) – 1 podium, 1 racer: Kajsa Vickhoff Lie
– Switzerland (SUI) – 6 podiums, 2 racers: Lara Gut-Behrami, Corinne Suter
– United States (USA) – 1 podium, 1 racer: Lauren Macuga
2025 Top 5 Super-G Standings
| Rank | Name | Nation | Points | Deficit to Gut-Behrami |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lara Gut-Behrami | SUI | 515 | 0 |
| 2 | Federica Brignone | ITA | 470 | -45 |
| 3 | Sofia Goggia | ITA | 386 | -129 |
| 4 | Lauren Macuga | USA | 267 | -248 |
| 5 | Kajsa Vickhoff Lie | NOR | 263 | -252 |
The Super-G title is now down to three skiers: Lara Gut-Behrami, Federica Brignone, and Sofia Goggia. While either Gut-Behrami or Brignone are the likely champions, Goggia still has a chance, down 129 points. However, she would need excellent finishes in the remaining races and lousy luck for Gut-Behrami and Brignone. With 200 points still possible, the final two races will determine the ultimate winner.
Top 15 2024-25 Super-G World Cup Standings
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Analysis of the Top 15 in the Women’s Super-G Standings
- ITA – 5 athletes
- AUT – 3 athletes
- SUI – 2 athletes
- USA – 1 athlete
- NOR – 1 athlete
- CZE – 1 athlete
- GER – 1 athlete
- NZL – 1 athlete
A total of eight countries are represented in the top 15 rankings.
Forty-nine women from 14 countries are listed to compete in the Mar. 14 La Thuile, Italy Women’s super G.
The course was set by Franz Gamper (CZE)
Stifel U.S. Ski Team Women in the World Cup SG Standings
North American Contenders in Kvitfjell
U.S. Skiers Fighting to the End
- Lauren Macuga (4th in standings) – With a super-G win this season and a tied third-place finish at the World Championships, Macuga has been consistently in the top 15. She secured fifth place in the first La Thuile super-G and is already qualified for the World Cup Finals.
- Lindsey Vonn (18th) – With three top-15 finishes, including a 4th place in St. Anton, Vonn has already earned her place in the World Cup Finals after making a successful return from retirement.
- Keely Cashman (26th) – Did not finish in the first La Thuile super-G, but Cashman is still in the hunt. She will need a strong finish tomorrow to break into the top 25 and earn a spot in the World Cup Finals.
- Breezy Johnson (34th) – The reigning downhill world champion needs a great result and some bad luck for the nine women ahead of her to break into the top 25. She’s already qualified for downhill but will need a standout performance in super-G to extend her season.
- Tricia Mangan (31st) – A consistent competitor in super-G, Mangan is aiming to break into the top 30 after a disappointing DNF in the first La Thuile super-G.
- Jacqueline Wiles (42nd) – Wiles needs a strong performance to move up the rankings in her final World Cup super-G of the season.
- Allison Mollin – Competing for her first super-G points, Mollin finished 42nd in the first La Thuile super-G.
With Macuga and Vonn already qualified for the World Cup Finals, Cashman still has a chance, while the others are focused on improving their rankings in the remaining race.
Canadian Entrant
Canada will be represented by one athlete in La Thuile:
- Valérie Grenier (31st in standings) – Grenier has competed in five super-G races this season, and in the first La Thuile super-G, she finished 23rd, scoring for only the second time this season. She will be aiming for a strong result to finish the season inside the top 30.
North American Athletes Racing Super-G
- Bib 4, Lindsey Vonn, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, HEAD, Oakley
- Bib 8, Lauren Macuga, Stifel USST, Park City Ski Team, Winter Sports School
- Bib 23, Keely Cashman, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, Oakley, HEAD
- Bib 31, Valérie Grenier, ACA, Club de Ski Mont Tremblant
- Bib 33, Breezy Johnson, Stifel USST, Rowmark Ski Academy, Atomic
- Bib 40, Trish Mangan, Stifel USST, HoliMont Snowsports, Dartmouth College, HEAD
- Bib 41, Jacqueline Wiles, Stifel USST, White Pass Ski Club
- Bib 47, Allison Mollin, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, HEAD
What to Watch For
The Fight for the Top of the Standings: With just one race left before the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, the March 14 super-G is a critical showdown for the top spots. Lara Gut-Behrami, Federica Brignone, and Sofia Goggia are battling it out for the season title, with 200 points still up for grabs. This race will significantly influence who can seize the lead and secure the coveted super-G crown.
Qualification for the Finals: For many, this is the last chance to qualify for the World Cup Finals. Only the top 25 skiers from each discipline will advance, making this race an intense battle for those just outside the cutoff, like Keely Cashman, ranked 26th, who is on the bubble and needs a strong finish to stay in the hunt.
Top 30 Finish for Preferred Start Numbers: Skiers will also be gunning for a top 30 finish in the super-G standings to secure preferred start positions for the beginning of next season. Finishing in the top 30 on the World Cup Start List guarantees them a better starting position in future races, giving them a competitive advantage for the start of the 2026 season.
Scoring for Nation Start Positions: Athletes will fight for points to finish in the top 60 on the super-G World Cup start list, ensuring a nation spot for their country. These spots create start positions in super-G events next season, emphasizing the high stakes for athletes at every level.
Last Chance: For most, this race is the final opportunity to improve their rankings, secure a spot in the World Cup Finals, and ensure they are well-positioned for next season. The pressure is high as skiers push their limits in a race that could define their future in the sport.
How and When to Watch
The race starts at 6:00 a.m. Eastern and 3:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
U.S. audiences can watch the race live or as a replay on Ski and Snowboard Live.
Sports enthusiasts in Canada can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports.
Daily Program and Start List
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Start List
About the Author: Peter Lange
