Lara Gut-Behrami Reclaims Super-G Victory, Lauren Macuga Rockets Into the Top-10 for the First Time!

The final day in Altenmarkt-Zauchensee brought in a large crowd that filled the valley with echoing cheers of excitement. Swiss athlete Lara Gut-Behrami took the top spot with an outstanding run. 

Gut-Behrami was the 2023 season super-G title winner and started the season with two stellar wins in giant slalom. Nevertheless, she fell short despite her relentless pursuit of victory in the season’s first three super-G races. In St. Moritz, she secured a commendable 3rd-place finish, while in Val d’Isère, she unfortunately did not complete the race alongside several other racers. On the same track on Friday, she again concluded with a 3rd-place finish. She was ready to prove that she could hold the winning spot, which showed in her aggression throughout today’s course. She achieved her 20th super-G victory.

Gut-Behrami stated, “It is amazing and unbelievable. I am proud of that and to win here again after 13 years,” she continued, “I am enjoying what I am doing and I am still here because I want to be. There are days when I want to quit and go home to have family. It is a struggle sometimes.”

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At the top of the track, the wind speeds were up today, and the GS-like section towards the bottom was set wider in comparison to Friday. Both of these aspects added a different element to this hill. This course was almost 2 seconds slower than the set on Friday. 

The race was a tight one today! There was little wiggle room for error, with the top 19 completing within a second from each other.  

Austrian Stephanie Venier achieved second place yesterday in the downhill event. She ran bib-1 today, setting the pace for the rest of the field. The racer searched for her aerodynamics wherever possible, but her 1:15.75 did not hold the top spot. She ended the day in 17th place, +0.80 behind the winning time. 

The Austrian team put on an exhilarating show for their home spectators this weekend. Every Austrian athlete was pushing their limits each day to come through the finish in the leader position. 

Cornelia Huetter achieved standout performances, winning the first day of super-G and clinching 2nd place today. Similarly, Mirjam Puchner, her fellow teammate, attained her 7th podium finish in the World Cup today, building on her 6th place finish in the downhill race. 

Unfortunately, the Italian powerhouse duo Federica Brignone and Sofia Goggia had multiple sections today that cost them a podium position. Goggia completed the day in 8th and Brignone in 12th place. 

However, their teammate, Roberta Melesi, had a milestone day. She was attacking from start to finish, laying it over on the outside ski. As a result, she secured an impressive 6th-place finish, marking her inaugural top-10 achievement on the World Cup circuit.

North Americans

Stifel US Ski Team athlete Lauren Macuga finished the day with a stand-out performance, achieving her first top 10. Wearing bib-48, she attacked the line, standing on the outside ski, pushing herself from panel to panel. As she came across the finish line, excitement radiated through the crowd.

Isabella Wright ignited out of the start with the fastest two top sections. However, she lost speed right before the critical lower section by leaning into a turn. The mistake cost her enough time to be pushed out of the top 30 contingency. She revealed emotions of frustration and sadness in the finish corral.

Keely Cashman had difficulty standing on the outside ski, which cost her time throughout today’s course. She continued to push her line, but it kept forcing her late and low. She ended just +0.03 behind her teammate, Isabella Wright. Both results were out of the points..

Alice Merryweather demonstrated impressive speed on the upper section. Nevertheless, she encountered similar difficulties as Cashman throughout the course, finishing outside the top 30.

 Altenmarkt-Zauchensee Super-G Results and Analysis of the Fastest Three and Lauren Macuga

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Analysis of the Fastest Three and Stifel US Ski Team’s Lauren Macuga