Featured Image: Cortina super-G podium. GEPA pictures
The ladies kicked off the Cortina d’Ampezzo event with the downhill race, and today they switched gears to the super-G.
They had fantastic weather and conditions for the downhill, but the super-G was a bit different with some weather looming over the mountains and the challenge of different light for most athletes.
Nevertheless, Frederica Brignone of Italy did not let that change her attack level. She ignited through each turn with a nice high arc, transitioning on and off the ski with ease.
Even when she got a little late, she managed to find a clean, early line, especially at the later turn where others were making timing errors. She came through +1.08 ahead of Suter.
This is her first victory in Cortina d’Ampezzo, and the local fans were thrilled. It also marked the inaugural time Brignone achieved a super-G podium on the Olympia delle Tofane track.
She stated, “When you visualize it and then do it in a race, it is really amazing, a sensation that is crazy,” she continued, “I wanted to perform here. I have to say this is my snow, and I really like it this year. I tried really hard.”
The interview revealed the genuine emotions associated with her victory, as she reflected on the extensive effort she invested to reach this milestone. “This year I am really proud and happy with what I did,” she stated. She remains at the top of the overall World Cup standings.
The Podium
Lara Gut-Behrami of Switzerland was the winner last season at this super-G race, the super-G World Cup standings winner, and the athlete that many were anticipating to steal the leader’s chair from Brignone.
Although she threw down a solid, fast run, it was not enough to take the lead. She finished the day in 2nd place, maintaining her top spot in the super-G World Cup standings. This marks her 42nd super-G podium.
Completing the podium in the super-G was Corinne Suter, a remarkable achievement for the Swiss competitor. After enduring a season-ending injury last year, Suter has made a commendable return, demonstrating courageous and powerful racing skills.
This marked Suter’s first podium in Cortina and her eighth podium in the discipline.
Lindsey Vonn Returns to Cortina Super-G
Lindsey Vonn comes off a 4th place super-G result in St. Anton, looking to find a spot on the podium in her third super-G comeback race. She is a decorated athlete on this hill, claiming six wins on this super-G track.
She was sending it from the beginning, attacking it and ready to claim a spot on the podium. Only +0.28 out from Brignone’s winning time in the middle of the course, she sadly leaned in and was unable to hold onto it. She fell sideways and slid down the hill.
Nevertheless, after displaying frustration, the U.S. veteran got right back up and skied down unharmed.
After the downhill yesterday, she felt like there were some differences in the hill. She stated, “I feel like they have tried to make the jumps bigger and more terrain in places where maybe they don’t need to be there. The speeds are high, but they have always been high.”
She also stated that her goal is: “I need to get back in the groove and get the high speeds under my belt.”
Vonn has been getting used to her equipment, which has played a major factor in her comeback. She stated, “My technician was in the hospital a couple of weeks ago, so I have been going back and forth between different technicians. There has been a lot going on, so I am just trying to get in a good rhythm and trying to get the skis figured out, and I am testing boots.”
She will not back down after this DNF today, as she has two more super-G chances before the World Championships.
Lauren Macuga Coming Off Her Super-G Win
Lauren Macguga of the Stifel US Ski Team won in the St. Anton super-G, so she came into today with confidence. Unfortunately, The 22-year-old got a little late in the line in the middle of the course, which twisted her.
Although she fought to stay in it, she was unable to gain back the time to remain in the top 10. Macuga finished the day in 13th place.
She stated, “I feel like it was great skiing, but a few too many mistakes, but just excited to get another shot on this hill.”
The night prior, it was Macuga’s first time in the bib draw for the top-15 seed. She explained her experience, “It was so fun to be up there and to see all of the fans and it felt like all of Italy was out there.”
Sofia Goggia
Sofia Goggia won in the downhill and had claimed victory in the first super-G of the season in St. Mortiz, but had a few mistakes towards the bottom of the run that tossed her around. The errors got the best of her today, but she still remained in 7th place.
Before today, Goggia was sitting in second place in the super-G World Cup rankings, but after her teammate’s win today, she slipped down to third.
North Americans
Valerie Grenier of Alpine Canada Alpin was the third North American to race the track. She overcame the psychological challenges associated with racing on the Olympia delle Tofane track, which last year sidelined her with a season-ending injury. She demonstrated composure and executed a solid line throughout each part of the course.
Prior to the race, she had articulated that she frequently reflects on the section of the track where her accident occurred. Nevertheless, it appeared to be a segment that posed no difficulties for her, as she smoothly navigated her way into 15th position.
The leading athlete of the Stifel US Ski Team, following Lauren Macga’s impressive top-15 finish, was Keely Cashman. Cashman demonstrated her skills by skiing a solid line, ultimately concluding the day in 23rd place. This result was only slightly below her best performance of the season, where she secured 21st place at Beaver Creek.
Directly behind Cashman’s time, Tricia Mangan and Breezy Johnson secured 24th and 25th place.
Five North Americans earned critical super-G World Cup points today.
The young athletes of the Stifel US Ski Team, Allison Mollin and Mary Bocock, are set to make their debut in the World Cup super-G race in Cortina d’Ampezzo. This event represents a significant opportunity for these newcomers to gain valuable experience on the World Cup circuit.
Stifel US Ski Team athletes Bella Wright and Jacqueline Wiles of the Stifel US Ski Team both struggled to find the speed today needed to crack the top 30.
Alpine Canada Alpin athlete Cassidy Gray was the last North American to ski the track, and she unfortunately caught her edge and got sideways. She fell into the net but skied out uninjured.
Top 30 Race Results
Top Three Analysis
North American Analysis
About the Author: Ellie Hartman
