Lindsey Vonn training run Cortina d’Ampezzo: GEPA pictures
Women’s Cortina d’Ampezzo Downhill: Who’s Racing, How to Watch and What to Expect
The Iconic Olympia delle Tofane Returns
The Olympia delle Tofane in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, will host the Women’s World Cup downhill on January 18, 2025. Known for its steep gradients and storied history, the course has long been a highlight of the Alpine skiing calendar. The venue has been home to elite competition since the 1956 Winter Olympics, hosting events like the 2021 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships and annual World Cup races. This year, the Olympia delle Tofane doubles as a preview for the Women’s Olympic Alpine events next season.
Key Features of the Course
Stretching 2,560 meters, the course offers a mix of treacherous passages and exhilarating jumps, including:
The Pale di Rumerlo: A less steep slope leading to the final man-made jump, known as “the tooth.”
The Schuss Passage: A wall with a 64% gradient where skiers hit maximum speeds of 140 kilometers per hour.
The Duca d’Aosta Jump: A critical feature requiring precision and nerve.
The Gran Curvone: The most technically demanding curve on the course.
The Scarpadon: A challenging blind exit requiring perfect timing.
Lindsey Vonn: A Legendary Return
Lindsey Vonn, the 40-year-old icon of downhill skiing, continues her highly anticipated comeback to the World Cup circuit. The Olympia delle Tofane has always been a special venue for Vonn, where she has claimed six downhill victories, her last in 2018. In addition to her wins, she has earned six more podium finishes on this track, making her one of the most successful athletes in Cortina’s storied history.
Vonn’s return to racing has been remarkable, following a partial knee replacement that allows her to ski pain-free for the first time in years. In her first World Cup downhill since coming out of retirement, she impressed with a sixth-place finish in St. Anton. Fans and competitors alike will watch closely as she looks to build on that momentum and compete against the sport’s rising stars.
The last time Vonn competed in Cortina was in January 2019, where she finished ninth. This year, she aims to rekindle her dominance on a slope that has long showcased her legendary speed and determination. With her return drawing global attention, Vonn’s performance at Cortina is sure to be a focal point of the race.
Last Season’s Drama
Cortina hosted two downhill races last year due to cancellations earlier in the season. The first downhill saw Austria’s Stephanie Venier claim victory, followed by Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami. A rare three-way tie for third featured Canada’s Valérie Grenier, Austria’s Christina Ager, and Italy’s Sofia Goggia. The second race brought Norway’s Ragnhild Mowinckel to the top of the podium, with Jacqueline Wiles of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team finishing second and Goggia placing third for the second day in a row.
The event also saw dramatic crashes. Mikaela Shiffrin suffered a knee injury during the first race, which interrupted her season. While she returned later in the year, the injury forced her to miss several key competitions. The second race ended Grenier’s season after a crash just one day after her podium finish.
Podium Skiers from the First Two Races
The season’s first two downhill races have produced six different podium finishers, underscoring the depth of competition this year:
- Birds of Prey, Beaver Creek, USA:
- Cornelia Huetter (AUT)
- Sofia Goggia (ITA)
- Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI)
- St. Anton, Austria:
- Federica Brignone (ITA)
- Malorie Blanc (SUI)
- Ester Ledecká (CZE)
Highlights from St. Anton
Thrilling results emerged from the downhill in St. Anton. Brignone made history in the race, becoming the oldest woman to win a World Cup downhill at 34. She proved that experience can prevail on one of the most challenging tracks of the season. Meanwhile, Malorie Blanc (SUI), just 21 years old and competing in her first downhill and only third World Cup, shocked the field with a second-place finish, marking her first career podium. Ester Ledecká (CZE) completed the podium with a strong third-place result, showcasing her consistency across disciplines.
With five races remaining on the calendar, the standings are tight. Seventeen women are within 100 points of Huetter, setting the stage for a thrilling title chase.
International Representation in the Top 15
The Top 15 Women’s Downhill Rankings after St. Anton feature skiers from seven nations, highlighting the global competition in the discipline:
- Austria (4): Cornelia Huetter, Stephanie Venier, Ricarda Haaser, Nina Ortlieb
- Italy (3): Federica Brignone, Sofia Goggia, Laura Pirovano
- Switzerland (3): Malorie Blanc, Lara Gut-Behrami, Michelle Gisin
- United States (3): Lauren Macuga, Breezy Johnson, Lindsey Vonn
- Czech Republic (1): Ester Ledecká
- Slovenia (1): Ilka Štuhec
- Norway (1): Kajsa Vickhoff Lie
click images to enlarge
Fifty-foue athletes from 14 countries will compete in the Cortina d’ Ampezzo World Cup downhill on Saturday, Jan. 18. Switzerland leads the entries with 10 women set to race the U.S. has nine.
Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Downhill Contenders
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team heads to Cortina d’Ampezzo with a strong lineup. Macuga, ranked seventh in the standings, leads the team after a solid start to the season. Currently ranked 14th, Vonn looks to build on her sixth-place finish in St. Anton as she continues her remarkable comeback. Breezy Johnson, ranked 11th, remains a podium threat with her aggressive style. Wiles, who secured a 2nd place podium in Cortina d’Ampezzo last season, will aim to replicate that success.
Isabella Wright, Trish Mangan, and Keely Cashman bring a proven ability to score World Cup points and will look to add to their season results. Haley Cutler, an independent racer, is seeking her first career World Cup points. After making her European World Cup downhill debut in St. Anton, she is eager to gain valuable experience on the Olympia delle Tofane.
This well-rounded group will aim to make an impact on one of the most iconic tracks in the women’s World Cup circuit.
North American Women with World Cup Downhill Points
Spotlight on Canada
Canada will be represented by two athletes in the Cortina d’Ampezzo downhill. Grenier, known for her versatility across multiple disciplines, continues to showcase her speed and technical skill on the World Cup circuit. While she excels in giant slalom, Grenier has proven her downhill prowess with a podium finish in Cortina d’Ampezzo last season. She will aim to return to the top ranks on the Olympia delle Tofane.
Cassidy Gray will make her World Cup downhill debut in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Known primarily for her success in giant slalom, Gray has raced four World Cup super-G events, earning her first career points in the discipline last season. Competing on this challenging and iconic track offers a valuable opportunity for experience, particularly with the upcoming Olympic Games set to take place in Cortina d’Ampezzo next season.
With one experienced podium finisher and a rising talent gaining critical experience, Canada brings a balanced approach to this demanding event.
What to Watch For
As one of the most challenging tracks on the women’s circuit, the Olympia delle Tofane is known for its high speeds and technical demands. This course has seen dramatic moments, including podium finishes, crashes, and comebacks, and this year promises no shortage of excitement. Lindsey Vonn’s return to competition is a major storyline, as the six-time Cortina downhill winner looks to add to her legacy.
The tight standings and deep field of competitors ensure a thrilling race, with a mix of veterans and rising stars ready to shine. Whether it’s the battle for the downhill title, the return of iconic athletes, or the emergence of new talent, Cortina d’Ampezzo continues to deliver Alpine skiing at its finest.
Stifel U.S. Ski Team Athletes Racing Downhill
- Bib 1, Jacqueline Wiles, Stifel USST, White Pass Ski Club
- Bib 27, Valérie Grenier, ACA, Club de Ski Mont Tremblant
- Bib 29, Lauren Macuga, Stifel USST, Park City Ski Team, Winter Sports School
- Bib 31, Lindsey Vonn, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, HEAD, Oakley
- Bib 33, Isabella Wright, Stifel USST, Snowbird Sports Education Foundation, Atomic
- Bib 34, Breezy Johnson, Stifel USST, Rowmark Ski Academy, Atomic
- Bib 39, Trish Mangan, Stifel USST, HoliMont Snowsports, Dartmouth College, HEAD
- Bib 44, Keely Cashman, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, HEAD
- Bib 48, Allison Mollin, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, HEAD
- Bib 49, Haley Cutler, Independent, Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, Atomic
- Bib 54, Cassidy Gray, ACA, Team Panorama, Atomic
How and When to Watch
The race starts at 5:00 a.m. Eastern and 2:00 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 on the image to enlarge or download
Start List
About the Author: Peter Lange
