Lindsey Vonn Forerunning Birds of Prey SG: GEPA pictures
Who, when and how to watch St. Moritz: A Super-G Classic
High in Switzerland’s Engadin Valley, St. Moritz is one of the most prestigious stops on the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup. This weekend, the iconic venue hosts two women’s Super-G races on a course that challenges even the best.
The St. Moritz Super-G track demands precision and adaptability. It starts at 2,800 meters (9,186 feet) and descends nearly 500 meters (1,640 feet) over 2 kilometers (1.24 miles). Above the tree line, the course features steep pitches, sweeping turns, and high-speed sections, with nothing to block the wind or mitigate poor visibility when clouds roll in. This unique blend of challenges makes St. Moritz a favorite for athletes and fans.
Lindsey Vonn’s Comeback: A Legend Returns
The spotlight in St. Moritz will shine even brighter this weekend as Lindsey Vonn makes her highly anticipated return to World Cup competition. At 40 years old, Vonn, one of the most decorated alpine ski racers in history, is defying the odds by coming out of retirement. This marks her first race since stepping away from the sport in 2019 after an illustrious career with 82 World Cup victories, four overall titles, 16 discipline globes, and an Olympic downhill gold medal.
Vonn’s decision to come out of retirement follows a successful knee surgery earlier this year that allowed her to resume training pain-free. While she has dominated in Super-G throughout her career—winning 28 World Cup races and five season titles—she has triumphed in St. Moritz’s Super-G three times: in 2010, 2012, and 2015. Her familiarity with the course and history of success here makes her return even more compelling.
Joining the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, Vonn brings unparalleled experience to a competitive group of women. Her return adds excitement to an already dramatic weekend, and all eyes will be on her to see how she performs on the challenging St. Moritz track.
Vonn Returns to Face a Stacked Super-G Field
Vonn will face fierce competition in St. Moritz. Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami, 33, dominated last season, winning the overall, Super-G, and giant slalom titles. She started strong this season with a second-place finish in the opening Super-G at Beaver Creek. Italy’s Sofia Goggia, 31, won that race. It was her second competition back after a training injury last January. Goggia also placed second in the downhill, proving she remains a top contender.
Austria’s Ariane Rädler, 29, also impressed in Beaver Creek. Starting with bib 20, she delivered an exceptional run to claim third, marking her second career podium. Austria’s Cornelia Hütter, the reigning downhill champion, is another threat. She won the Beaver Creek downhill and finished just off the Super-G podium in fourth.
Italy’s Federica Brignone, 34, is in excellent form this season. She won the opening giant slalom in Sölden and finished fifth in the Beaver Creek Super-G. Brignone also took second in last season’s St. Moritz Super-G, showing consistency on this course.
Last year’s St. Moritz Super-G winner, Austria’s Stephanie Venier, will be back to defend her title. Third-place finisher Marta Bassino of Italy also returns, adding depth to an already competitive field. With such a strong lineup, the race promises to be a thrilling battle for victory.
2024-25 Super-G World Cup Standings Top 15
click images to enlarge
After the first super-G of the season, Italy leads the rankings with five athletes in the top 15. Three of them are in the top six. Austria has also placed five skiers in the top 15, including those ranked third and fourth. Switzerland has two racers among the elite group. The United States, France, and Norway each have one skier in the top 15.
Fifty-seven women from 14 countries are listed to compete in the Dec. 21 St Moritz Women’s super-G, with Austria, Switzerland and Italy fielding ten athletes each.
North American Women on the World Cup SG Start List
Rising Stars of U.S. Women’s Super-G
Macuga Leads the U.S. Charge in Super-G
Lauren Macuga, 22, continues to shine as the Stifel U.S. Speed Team leader. She entered the season as the only American in the top 15 of the World Cup Super-G Start List. Last season, she proved her potential with three top 10 finishes, including 7th and 5th in Kvitfjell, Norway, and 14th at the World Cup Finals.
Macuga built on that momentum at Beaver Creek with a solid 12th-place finish in the super-G. Her performance demonstrated her ability to handle challenging terrain and maintain her standing as a rising star in U.S. alpine skiing.
Cashman Builds on Momentum
Keely Cashman delivered a standout performance in Beaver Creek, finishing 21st from bib 44. It was her best super-G result since December 2020 and the second-best finish for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team. Cashman also scored points in St. Moritz last season, finishing 24th. Her versatility, honed on the varied terrain of Palisades Tahoe, makes her a strong contender this weekend.
Johnson Eyes a Return to Super-G Form
Breezy Johnson returned to World Cup Super-G racing this season after a year out of competition. She delivered a solid performance in her first race back, finishing 28th. With her determination and experience, Johnson is focused on climbing the World Cup Super-G rankings and reestablishing herself among the world’s best.
A Deep Field of U.S. Talent
Stifel U.S. Ski Team members Isabella Wright, Tricia Mangan, and Jacqueline Wiles bring depth to the lineup. All three scored World Cup Super-G points last season, showcasing their determination and skill. While ranked outside the top 30 on the World Cup Start List, they all know that one strong result could ignite the momentum for a breakthrough season. Though none have scored super-G points in St. Moritz, their capability to compete at a high level must be considered.
Allison Mollin Steps Into St. Moritz
Allison Mollin, 20, will debut in St. Moritz this weekend in World Cup Super-G. Her only previous World Cup experience came last year in downhill at Crans-Montana. However, Mollin’s dominance on the NorAm circuit previous season, where she won both the Super-G and downhill standings, highlights her potential as she steps onto the sport’s biggest stage.
Canadian Participation
After skipping the Beaver Creek races, Alpine Canada Alpin will field three athletes in St. Moritz. The roster includes Valérie Grenier and Cassidy Gray. Grenier leads the group with two career top-five World Cup Super-G results and a 14th-place finish in last season’s St. Moritz race. Gray, who did not finish in St. Moritz last year, earned her first top 30 super-G result with 29th in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
This talented group reflects the growing depth of U.S. women’s speed skiing and promises an exciting season ahead.
Stifel U.S. Ski Team Athletes Racing Downhill
- Bib 16, Lauren Macuga, Stifel USST, Park City Ski Team, Winter Sports School
- Bib 28, Valérie Grenier, ACA, Club de Ski Mont Tremblant
- Bib 31, Lindsey Vonn, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail. HEAD, Oakley
- Bib 38, Isabella Wright, Stifel USST, Snowbird Sports Education Foundation, Atomic
- Bib 44, Trish Mangan, Stifel USST, HoliMont Snowsports, Dartmouth College, HEAD
- Bib 45, Jacqueline Wiles, Stifel USST, White Pass Ski Club
- Bib 50, Keely Cashman, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, Oakley, HEAD
- Bib 52, Allison Mollin, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, HEAD
- Bib 53, Breezy Johnson, Stifel USST, Rowmark Ski Academy, Atomic
- Bib 57, Cassidy Gray, ACA, Team Panorama, Atomic
How and When to Watch
The race starts at 4:30 a.m. Eastern and 1:30 a.m. Pacific Time.
U.S. audiences can watch the race live or as a replay on Ski And Snowboard Live.
Sports enthusiasts in Canada can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports.
Daily Program and Start List
Click the images to enlarge or download.
Start List
About the Author: Peter Lange
