Emma Aicher: GEPA pictures
Aicher Wins La Thuile Super-G as Italian Fans Celebrate a Big Day
Germany’s Emma Aicher, just 21 years old, secured her first World Cup super-G victory in La Thuile, holding off Sofia Goggia and Federica Brignone in a tight battle on a shortened course. The young German, who impressed with two podiums in Kvitfjell’s downhills, delivered a fearless run, setting the time to beat at 57.89 seconds. Despite challenges from some of the sport’s biggest names, her lead stood through the race, giving her a second career World Cup win.
“It’s going better than I thought it would,” Aicher said with a smile after securing her first World Cup super-G victory. “I’m really happy with how I skied today. I think I was a bit lucky with my bib number because the conditions got darker and softer as the race went on, so that helped—but I also skied well.”
For Aicher, the key to success was an all-out approach. “You had to push full gas from start to finish. The only place where you needed a little more direction was at the bottom where the pump was, but otherwise, you could just let the skis go and go fast.”
Even after her breakthrough win, she remained as composed as ever. “Of course, I’m enjoying this moment. It’s really nice.”
A Break in the Weather After Days of Disruptions
La Thuile’s race week had been plagued by uncooperative weather, with downhill training runs repeatedly canceled, forcing organizers to scrap the scheduled downhill race. But on Thursday morning, a break in the clouds finally allowed the first of two super-G races to go ahead.
Early racers enjoyed clear skies and excellent visibility, making for fast and aggressive runs on a short but demanding course. The snow surface was bumpy in places, adding to the challenge, but overall, conditions were fair and raceable. However, as the event progressed, overcast skies rolled in, flattening the light for the later starters. By that point, though, the podium had already been decided.
A Big Day for the Italian Crowd
The home fans had plenty to celebrate, with three Italian skiers finishing in the top six and two landing on the podium.
Sofia Goggia, known for arcing clean turns at high speed, put down a fearless run, attacking the middle of the course with the fastest third-sector time. But a costly final section left her just 0.06 seconds behind Aicher, securing second place.
Behind her, Federica Brignone, the overall World Cup leader, skied at the limit of control and disaster, thrilling the Italian crowd with her aggressive approach. She crossed the line third at +0.39, ensuring two Italians on the podium.
Further down, Marta Bassino delivered a strong performance, finishing sixth at +0.71 to add to Italy’s success.
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Goggia Battles Challenging Snow to Deliver a Strong Run on Home Soil
“I’m really happy with my performance today,” Goggia said. “I’ve made a lot of progress skiing in these conditions, but the snow was incredibly difficult—soft and lacking support, making it hard to push.”
She also acknowledged the effort behind the race happening at all. “I have to thank the organizers for making this possible, but the conditions were really at the limit.”
Racing in Italy always brings something extra for Goggia. “It’s special to compete on home soil. This is really Federica’s house—she’s local here. For me, it’s more like that when we race in Cortina. But no matter where we are, feeling the energy of our fans is always amazing.”
Brignone Fights Through Mistakes to Secure Podium in Front of Home Crowd
“For sure, it’s an amazing crowd, and for me, a lot of emotions,” Brignone said. “It was hard to stay as focused as always.”
The Italian battled through a challenging run, feeling the difficulties of the conditions. “The snow didn’t respond the way I wanted. I maybe pushed too hard before the first flat and got off my line. I felt stuck, and from there, I just tried to give everything I had.”
She wasn’t completely satisfied with her execution. “I made another mistake, got too close to a gate, and I was mad at myself because those aren’t mistakes I should be making.”
Still, she recognized the positives. “In the end, it was a solid run. A good race, a good result—even if I’m not happy with my skiing.”
And after nearly going out, she appreciated simply making it to the finish. “I’m lucky because with that gate, I could have been out. I’m happy I’m all in one piece today.”
Macuga Leads the Stifel U.S. Ski Team
The top American finisher was Lauren Macuga, who skied with determination and strength to claim fifth place at +0.55. The Stifel U.S. Ski Team standout, already a World Cup super-G winner, put together a strong, attacking run, showing why she is one of the rising stars in speed racing. She held her line through the technical sections and carried speed to the finish, just missing out on a second career super G podium.
Her result marked another solid performance in a breakout season, proving she remains the top American super G skier on the circuit.
Course Hold After Early Leaders Set the Pace
The top three skiers had already crossed the finish when the race was dramatically interrupted. A course worker fell and suffered an injury, leading to an extended helicopter evacuation and forcing the competition into a lengthy delay.
When the race resumed, Ester Ledecká, the 2022 Olympic super-G champion, was the first skier back on course. While she attacked with her trademark power, the long pause made refocusing difficult, and she was unable to break into the top group.
Cornelia Hütter was on pace for a near-certain victory before disaster struck near the bottom of the course. The Austrian attacked the super-G with speed and confidence, carrying a commanding advantage through the first three sectors. But as she approached the final turns, she lost control, nearly doing the splits before spinning backward and crashing into the safety fence. She managed to get back onto her skis and ski to the bottom, but her frustration was clear. Seeing how much time she had built before crashing, Hütter was visibly upset, knowing she had let a near-certain victory slip away.
Gut-Behrami Falls Short, Securing Aicher’s Win
Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami, the current super-G standings leader and defending season champion, was the next major contender. She has earned podiums on this hill before and is known for her consistency in super-G, but today, she lacked the extra speed to break onto the podium. Crossing the line 0.47 seconds behind Aicher, she settled for fourth place.
At this point, the top three in the super-G standings were all in the finish, and Aicher still held the lead. With each additional skier crossing the line outside the podium positions, the young German inched closer to her second World Cup victory—and her first in super-G.
Lindsey Vonn’s Unexpected Crash Adds to the Drama
Another shocking moment came when Lindsey Vonn, one of ski racing’s greatest champions, leaned in on a turn, lost her edge, and fell near the top of the course. Her left ski came off as she went down, and she slid down the steep upper section. She could click back in once her ski was delivered and ski to the finish.
With only 29 skiers left to race, it became clear that the podium had likely been decided. While surprises can still happen, Emma Aicher could begin to celebrate a breakthrough super-G win on a day filled with challenges, delays, and drama.
Aicher Claims Victory on a Chaotic Race Day
With crashes, a course hold, and shifting conditions, La Thuile delivered a dramatic super-G. Emma Aicher’s fearless skiing held up against all challengers, securing her first World Cup super-G win. Sofia Goggia and Federica Brignone gave the home crowd plenty to cheer for, finishing second and third. On a shortened course and under changing skies, Aicher proved unstoppable.
North Americans Secure Points, Set Sights on Second La Thuile Super-G
Three North American skiers finished in the top 30, with Lauren Macuga leading the way in fifth place as the top Stifel U.S. Ski Team finisher. The World Cup super-G winner showed strong form, attacking the course with confidence to finish just 0.55 seconds off the winning time.
“It’s been an interesting day,” Macuga said after finishing fifth. “With the last two days canceled, we were hopeful this morning that the race would happen, and I’m glad it did. This hill is fun, but the conditions definitely got slower as the day went on, so that was tough to watch. It’s never a completely fair race, but I’m just glad I put my best skiing out there, and I’m super stoked with a fifth place.”
Looking ahead to the second super-G, she’s eager for another shot. “I’m very excited and really hoping tomorrow happens. Now that I understand how the hill works, I know where I can make up time—especially carrying more speed at the bottom. I just want the chance to go for it again.”
Canada’s Valerie Grenier also broke into the points, finishing 23rd with a time of 1:00.60. Meanwhile, Breezy Johnson, also representing the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, secured 27th place, crossing the line in 1:00.87.
The race saw six skiers wearing bibs over 30 finishing in the top 30, proving that late starters could still make an impact. The fastest of this group was Camille Cerutti of France (bib 37), who placed 22nd. The highest bib to score points was Austria’s Julia Scheib (bib 44), who finished 26th.
With another super-G scheduled for tomorrow, these women will have one more opportunity to challenge this demanding course and push for an even stronger result.
Top 30 results
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Analysis of the podium skiers and top 30 North Americans
About the Author: Peter Lange
