Federica Brignone: GEPA pictures
Final Super G of the Season Brings Drama to La Thuile
The last regular-season race of the 2025 Women’s World Cup was a showdown of speed, risk, and high-stakes battles. With the super G title still up for grabs and only the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley remaining, every skier pushed to the limit.
The Italian crowd had plenty to celebrate. Federica Brignone stormed to victory in front of roaring home fans, claiming her third super G win of the season and her tenth victory across all disciplines she competes in. Sofia Goggia was just 0.01 seconds behind, and Romane Miradoli completed the podium, finishing 0.05 back.
The battle for the season super G title is set to go down to the wire. With today’s victory, Brignone now leads Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami by five points in the season’s super G standings.
Shortened Course, Maximum Intensity
With downhill training canceled earlier in the week due to weather, the downhill race was scrapped entirely. That left the super Gs as the only events in La Thuile, and like yesterday’s race, the start was lowered, shortening the course but not reducing the intensity.
The first skier out of the gate, Romane Miradoli, set the early standard at 58.00, attacking with smooth aggression. She was fast, but her time seemed beatable.
Then came Brignone, the overall World Cup leader, racing with precision and power, skiing aggressive lines and soaring off the final jump. She edged Miradoli by 0.05 seconds, igniting a deafening roar from the Italian fans.
Moments later, Goggia charged onto the course with her trademark all-or-nothing approach. She pushed to the absolute limit, throwing herself at the gates with fearless commitment. Her final time? Just 0.01 seconds behind Brignone—one of the closest margins possible.
With two Italians on top, the home crowd was ecstatic.
Title Race Tightens
Meanwhile, the fight for the super G Crystal Globe was unfolding in real time.
World Champion Stephanie Venier pushed hard but finished 1.02 seconds behind Brignone, well off the pace. Then came Gut-Behrami, last year’s super G champion, who was fighting to keep her season title hopes alive.
The Swiss star attacked the course with confidence, launching into each turn, but the clock was not in her favor. She crossed the line in fourth, tied with Corinne Suter, another Swiss speed specialist.
With her fourth-place finish, Gut-Behrami slipped five points behind Brignone in the season standings. The super G title battle will now go to Sun Valley, with the Crystal Globe still up for grabs.
Another major standings battle saw Norway’s Kajsa Vickhoff Lie reclaim fourth place from Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Lauren Macuga. Yesterday, Macuga moved ahead, but today, Vickhoff Lie took it back.
The energy at the finish was electric, as every ranking shift added another layer of drama.
The Moment of Uncertainty—Aicher Attacks, Then Goes Over the Limit
With fifteen skiers down, the podium was still unchanged:
- Brignone – 57.95
- Goggia – +0.01
- Miradoli – +0.05
But one major threat remained—yesterday’s winner, 21-year-old Emma Aicher.
The young German launched out of the start, carrying blazing speed through the first two sectors. She was skiing with the same brilliance that earned her a breakthrough victory the day before.
Her turns were sharp and fearless, her timing flawless, and she was on pace to challenge for another win.
Then, in an instant, it all unraveled.
Pushing to the absolute edge of what was possible, Aicher lost her line, missing a gate and skiing out of the course.
A gasp rippled through the finish area but the tension instantly lifted for the three women occupying the podium—Brignone, Goggia, and Miradoli.
The top three spots were now secure.
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Brignone: Dominant and Focused
“Winning at home, in front of my people, was one of my biggest dreams. Five years ago, I lost here by a hundredth of a second, and today, it came back to me—that’s just crazy. I couldn’t have finished my career without this moment. I never imagined at the start of the season that I’d be leading both the overall and super G standings, but I focused on every race, and now I’m here. This victory means everything, and I’m so proud. Thank you to my team and everyone who worked so hard to make these races happen.”
Sofia Goggia on the Thrilling Finish in La Thuile
“One hundredth of a second is nothing, but at the same time, I’m really proud to share this podium with Federica. She’s skiing on another level right now, and what she’s doing is incredible. Going head-to-head with her today, especially in front of the home crowd, made this race special.”
Romane Miradoli on Her First Podium of the Season
“I’m really happy because it wasn’t easy. All season, I’ve been challenging myself to find the right way back to the podium, and today, I finally did it. Starting with bib one was stressful, but I trusted myself and pushed all the way to the finish. Yesterday, I was too slow at the bottom, so I made sure to give it everything. This is my first podium of the season, and that says it all.”
North Americans Make an Impact in La Thuile
One of the biggest surprises of the day came from Canada’s Valérie Grenier, who delivered her best super G performance of the season. Grenier had raced a limited super G schedule this year, and coming into today’s race, she had only finished two of her five starts. But she saved her best for last.
Wearing bib 31, the only Canadian in the race skied like a champion, attacking the course with confidence and power. She crossed the line in eighth place, finishing 0.66 seconds behind Brignone—the best North American result of the day.
Vonn’s Comeback Continues
The top Stifel U.S. Ski Team skier was none other than Lindsey Vonn. At 40 years old, the highly decorated skier continued to prove her ability in her comeback season. Today, she delivered another strong performance, finishing 13th, adding to her growing list of top-15 results this season.
Her experience and skill were on full display, particularly in the middle of the course, where she carried excellent speed through the technical sections.
Lindsey Vonn on Her Performance and Racing in Italy
“Today was definitely better than yesterday, kind of like the last time I raced here. I wish I had been a little faster—I was just on the wrong side of the time, and a few tenths could have put me in sixth or seventh. But for me, it was important to get to the finish. My super G season has been up and down, so I’m happy with a solid run, and it gives me confidence heading into the finals.
Racing in Italy is always special. The fans here have been so supportive throughout my career, and it means a lot to feel that energy at the finish. I hope to be back racing in Cortina next year.”
A Tough Day for Macuga
For Lauren Macuga, today was a rare disappointment in what has been a breakthrough season.
The young American won her first World Cup super G in St. Anton and claimed bronze in the event at the Saalbach World Championships. But today, she struggled to find the speed she needed, finishing outside the top 15 for the first time all season in 19th place.
It’s a sign of how much Macuga has grown. A year ago, a top-20 finish would have been a success, but today, it feels like a setback. Still, she heads to Sun Valley as the fifth-ranked super G skier for the season, proving her place among the world’s best.
Lauren Macuga Reflects on the Season and Looks Ahead to Sun Valley
“Today wasn’t my best, but I still had some solid skiing. It’s crazy to look back on this season—it’s been so fun and just absolutely insane. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Now, I’m looking forward to Sun Valley. It’s home snow, and while we haven’t skied the course yet, I want to channel all the American energy there and hopefully get on the podium. I know I can.”
Wiles Grabs Final Point in La Thuile
Jacqueline Wiles fought her way into the top 30, finishing 30th and earning one World Cup point. Known for her downhill speed, this marked only her third time scoring in super G this season.
While she won’t qualify for the super G finals, Wiles has secured her spot in the downhill at Sun Valley, where she’ll look to make an impact in her strongest event.
The Fight Continues in Sun Valley
With Brignone’s win, she now holds a five-point lead over Gut-Behrami in the super G season standings.
The 2025 super G Crystal Globe will be decided in the final race—one last showdown for the season title.
The final super G of the regular season in La Thuile was a spectacle of speed and risk. With athletes pushing the absolute limit, the battle for glory is far from over.
Sun Valley World Cup Finals awaits.
Top 30 results
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Analysis of the podium skiers and top 30 North Americans
About the Author: Peter Lange
