Goggia. Lake Louise 2022. Photo: GEPA pictures

The stars came out to play for the first women’s downhill race of the season on a beautiful day in Lake Louise, Canada. It is hardly a surprise to see the World Cup downhill champion from the last two seasons on top. The Italian Sofia Goggia, the two-time Olympic downhill medalist, revealed she is still as good as it gets. Goggia won the first three women’s downhill events last season, including two held in Lake Louise. In the end, Goggia ended up with four wins in nine downhill events. After the race, her interview made it clear she was not impressed with her run. That isn’t good news for the rest of the field.

Goggia also is off to another fast start to the season; she won the first three women’s downhill events last season, including two held in Lake Louise. In the end, Goggia ended up with four wins in nine downhill events.

Finishing Immediately behind the Italian rocket is Switzerland’s, Corinne Suter. Completing the podium only 0.06 seconds back from the leader is Austria’s, Cornelia Huetter for her 18th World Cup podium. So, although Goggia remains the best, it was only by a few meters. 

Goggia is chasing after a third straight World Cup downhill globe this season. It would make her the first woman to win three straight World Cup downhill titles since Lindsey Vonn captured six straight from 2007-08 to 2012-13.

The Swiss and Austrian teams finished with three women in the top ten. Italy occupies two of the top ten but earned the top spot. 

Ilka Stuhec of Slovenia made quite a charge as she started 28th in the race and finished fifth overall.

US star Breezy Johnson continues her determined comeback. It was Breezy’s first race back after the injury sustained last season in Cortina d’Ampezo. Although the woman is fully capable of victory when she is at her best, she is excited to compete again in the World Cup. Breezy crossed the finish and declared with a smile, “I am back.” Johnson finished in 16th. 

Johnson also later reflected, saying, “It’s been a long road back so I’m really excited to be back here racing. Obviously I have high expectations of myself and I’m always trying to ski better and do better. I think today was definitely a step in the right direction.”

Emerging US World Cup athlete Bella Wright finished with her 3rd career top 15 results in 13th. Wright produced the highest speed in the last speed trap. Although she was 10th with one split to complete, a small mistake cost her time in the flats. It is obvious she is skiing strongly and could improve her result tomorrow. 

“I’m really happy with my skiing today on the top part of the course and through the middle,” said Wright, “I want to continue to ski solid where I’m skiing solid and just build in the bottom section of the course and try to keep up with the fast girls down there.”

One other North American Canadian, Marie-Michele Gagnon, finished 24th in the first of three home races. Gagnon’s run was consistently solid. However, the Canadian is capable of top ten results and will look for a better outcome tomorrow. 

Lauren Macuga of the US did not start; at this point, we have been unable to determine the reason.

Shiffrin skipped the Lake Louise speed races this weekend in order to train for the tech events.

Half of the six North Americans who started today scored World Cup points. 

Analysis of the top three and North American and top 30 results

The Associated Press and US Ski & Snowboard contributed to this coverage.

This is a developing story, stay tuned for updates.