Lindsey Vonn is happy to win number 83 in St Moritz / GEPA pictures
Vonn Dominates to Historic Win in St. Moritz Downhill
Lindsey Vonn delivered one of the most commanding downhill performances of her career, storming to a 0.98-second victory in the opening women’s World Cup downhill of the 2026 Olympic season on Friday in St. Moritz.
The 41-year-old Stifel U.S. Ski Team star stopped the clock in 1:29.63, earning her 83rd career World Cup victory and her 44th downhill win. The result made Vonn the oldest skier in history to win a World Cup race and marked her first World Cup victory since March 2018 in Åre, Sweden.
It was also Vonn’s fifth World Cup downhill victory in St. Moritz — and at this point, it’s almost easier to ask where she hasn’t won.
A Run Built on Speed and Experience
Vonn did not lead early, but she flipped the race decisively in the lower half of the course, where downhill racing is fastest and most dangerous. She posted the fastest times in the final three sectors, reached a top speed of 114 kph, and carried momentum through the most punishing terrain on the hill.
Once she found her rhythm, no skier could match her acceleration or ability to hold speed. Her margin only grew as challenger after challenger failed to close the gap.
Vonn: ‘We Worked Really Hard for This’
“We worked really hard for this — not just me, but the whole team, from equipment to physical training,” Vonn said. “I knew I was skiing fast, but you never really know until the first race. I think I was a little faster than I expected. I had a great run, but I also made some mistakes, which actually makes me excited for tomorrow. I focused on skiing the pitch clean and carrying speed to the bottom, and that worked. Now it’s about keeping the rhythm, managing energy, and executing the plan again. I’m really excited — especially for super-G, because I’m skiing even better there.” — Lindsey Vonn
Vonn emphasized that patience, energy management, and disciplined execution will be just as important as speed as the demanding weekend continues.
Austria Doubles Up on the Podium
Austria placed two skiers on the podium, signaling a powerful start to the Olympic season in women’s speed.
Magdalena Egger, racing from bib 27, delivered a breakthrough performance to finish second, 0.98 seconds back, earning the first World Cup podium of her career. Born in 2001 — a year after Lindsey Vonn made her World Cup debut — the 24-year-old converted a standout junior career into a senior-level result on one of the sport’s most demanding tracks.
“It’s just a dream come true,” Egger said. “I tried to keep my skiing clean, keep building speed, and stay calm. I knew Lindsey was really far in front and that she was very fast in the last sector, so I focused on carrying my speed there. To come away with my first World Cup podium here is something really special, and I’m very relieved.” — Magdalena Egger
Egger’s late surge reshuffled the standings and pushed several established stars off the podium.
Mirjam Puchner completed the podium in third (+1.16), earning the sixth World Cup downhill podium of her career. Puchner was fastest through the upper part of the course, attacking aggressively over the jumps before giving time back in the lower sections.
“I don’t know if I expected this, but I knew I was fast during the training runs all autumn,” Puchner said. “Today the sun was shining, and I knew I could ski everything if I trusted myself. I felt I was really fast on the upper part — the jumps were much bigger than yesterday — and I tried to push. There’s still a lot I can improve, but it’s a very good way to start the season, because you don’t overthink it and you can keep going.” — Mirjam Puchner
Late Shake-Up Pushes Goggia Off the Podium
Italy’s Sofia Goggia finished fourth (+1.31) after skiing with her trademark aggression, but Egger’s late charge pushed her off the podium and denied what would have been the 38th downhill podium of her career.
Germany’s rising star Emma Aicher, just 22 years old and 19 years younger than Vonn, placed fifth (+1.41). France’s Romane Miradoli and Austria’s Cornelia Huetter tied for sixth (+1.42).
U.S. Depth on Display
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team showcased impressive depth, placing seven skiers inside the top 30 on a demanding downhill track that rewarded speed tolerance and punished hesitation.
Behind Vonn’s victory, Breezy Johnson finished 15th, while Jacqueline Wiles placed 18th. The most notable charge came from Isabella “Bella” Wright, who skied from bib 35 to 16th (+2.02) — the fastest finisher among the high bibs — in her first World Cup race since February.
“I’m really grateful for today,” Wright said. “I haven’t raced since last February, and this was really only my third day on a full-length course. It was definitely nerve-wracking, but I was just happy to make it down and put together a solid run, even with some mistakes to clean up for tomorrow. Seeing Lindsey back on top like that is inspiring. You can see the experience and the fight she has, and she just put the hammer down. It makes all of us want to be better.” — Isabella “Bella” Wright
Independent American Haley Cutler, racing from bib 41, finished 20th (+2.16) to earn the second World Cup points result of her career, following her first points scored last season in the Kvitfjell downhill.
“I’m smiling really big right now,” Cutler said. “I feel like I trusted myself for the first time, and it’s paying off. Seeing Lindsey back on top is so inspiring. I was on the chairlift when she crossed the finish, and I could hear the roar from the finish area. I had goosebumps and tears in my eyes. What she’s done — and the belief and support she’s shown me — made this feeling possible today.” — Haley Cutler
Keely Cashman added another strong U.S. result in 24th (+2.22), continuing a positive start to her downhill season.
“It feels really good,” Cashman said. “I felt confident going into this race, and the training we had here was amazing. The snow was great, the sun was out, and I felt strong. There are definitely a few spots to clean up for tomorrow, but I’m happy with the result. Seeing the whole team punch it in like that makes it even better. Training alongside Lindsey, who’s absolutely crushing it, raises everyone’s level, and days like this are great for the team.” — Keely Cashman
Allison Mollin, racing from bib 53, finished 27th, scoring the first World Cup points of her career and becoming the highest-bib skier to reach the points on the day.
“It feels so good,” Mollin said. “I feel like I’ve been skiing at that level for a while, and it’s really rewarding to do it when it counts. It wasn’t just about the top 30 — it was a huge team result. There’s so much momentum in this group, and we see it every day in training. Everyone pushes each other, and it’s exciting to show that together on the race hill. I think this team is going to have a great season, and I’m really excited to be part of it.” — Allison Mollin
High Bibs Break Through
Several skiers starting 31st or higher fought their way into the top 30, reinforcing how aggressively the later starters attacked the St. Moritz downhill:
- Bib 35 — Isabella Wright (USA): 16th, +2.02
- Bib 41 — Haley Cutler (USA): 20th, +2.16
- Bib 40 — Lena Wechner (AUT): 20th, +2.16
- Bib 45 — Keely Cashman (USA): 24th, +2.22
- Bib 51 — Cande Moreno (AND): 26th, +2.54
- Bib 53 — Allison Mollin (USA): 27th, +2.55
- Bib 31 — Alice Robinson (NZL): 29th, +2.57
The results underscored both the depth of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team and the willingness of the high bibs to push the limits on one of the sport’s fastest and most dangerous tracks.
Looking Ahead
With the Olympic season underway, the U.S. downhill picture is taking shape. Vonn, Wiles, and Johnson remain the likely core of the American speed group, but with Lauren Macuga not racing, the battle for the remaining Olympic spots is wide open.
The depth on display in St. Moritz made one thing clear: the next generation of U.S. speed skiers is healthy, hungry, and pushing hard.
And at the front, Lindsey Vonn once again set the standard.
Top 30 results
Analysis of the top three and Other North Americans among the top 30
About the Author: Peter Lange
