Nicol Delago/ GEPA pictures
Through the Fog, Italy Rose: Delago Delivers in Tarvisio
It was Italy’s day to shine in Tarvisio, and Nicol Delago made sure of it. After winning the second downhill training run, Delago carried her confidence straight out of the start gate, attacking a course many struggled to read as thick fog settled across the hill. Where others hesitated, she committed.
Running bib three, Delago skied with precision, speed, and better aerodynamics than the rest of the field. She charged fearlessly through the low visibility, growing faster with every split and holding her place at the top as a parade of world-class challengers, including teammate Sofia Goggia, followed. In the most difficult conditions of the day, Delago was simply the bravest, the cleanest, and the fastest.
After securing her first World Cup victory in front of a home crowd, Delago struggled to find words.
“It’s incredible. I don’t even know how to describe this day. I’m just really happy, and I want to enjoy every moment of it. The past years were not easy for me, and to have my family here supporting me means everything. I tried to stay focused, even though I was very nervous. Yesterday was a good day, but every day starts from zero. Today, everything came together.”
— Nicol Delago
Delago also reflected on the significance of racing in Tarvisio for the first time and delivering the best Italian result ever on the slope.
“I just hope to come back here again in a few years. It’s so special to share this with everyone.”
— Nicol Delago
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Top 6- Tarvisio, ITA
- 1st Nicol Delago 🇮🇹 – 1:46.28
- 2nd Kira Weidle-Winkelmann 🇩🇪- (+.20)
- 3rd Lindsey Vonn 🇺🇸 – (+.26)
- 4th Nina Ortlieb 🇦🇹- (+.42)
- 5th Emma Aicher 🇩🇪- (+.80)
- 6th Breezy Johnson🇺🇸- (+.85)
- 6th Laura Pirovano🇮🇹- (+.85)
Pressure, Conditions, and Olympic Stakes
The Tarvisio downhill comes at a critical point in the season, marking the fifth downhill race on the calendar and one of the most consequential events for Olympic qualification. For the Stifel U.S. Ski Team women, this is the final downhill that counts toward meeting Olympic downhill criteria. With only two more downhills remaining before the Games, today’s results carry enormous weight, even as discretionary selections remain possible.
Mild temperatures kept the track fast, but the conditions were anything but simple. The course demanded exceptional gliding skill, with long sections where speed had to be generated and preserved. The jumps provided moments of drama, but the steep middle section, buried in fog, challenged athletes both technically and mentally. As the race progressed, the fog slowly pushed higher up the hill, creating inconsistent visibility and forcing constant mental adjustments from the athletes.
Against that backdrop, Nicol Delago delivered a performance defined by composure. She never fought the hill or forced her line. Instead, she skied with calm confidence, staying smooth and deliberate, maintaining aerodynamics through the gliding sections and remaining precise even when visibility disappeared. Her strength lay not only in aggression, but in the cleanliness and efficiency of her skiing, allowing her to separate herself on a track that rewarded touch and timing as much as raw power.
The moment carried historical significance. It had been 15 years since the women last raced on the Tarvisio downhill, and Delago’s victory represented the best Italian result ever achieved on this slope.
In a race shaped by pressure, weather, and Olympic implications, Delago proved her win was no accident. It was the product of confidence, clarity, and competitive maturity at exactly the right moment in the season.
Podium Power: Experience and Precision in Tarvisio
Second Place: Kira Weidle-Winkelmann (GER)
Kira Weidle-Winkelmann delivered a composed and technically strong run for Germany. She ran slightly wide exiting the steep middle section, but recovered quickly and maintained excellent speed through the gliding terrain. Her efficiency in the lower section stood out, where she found additional acceleration and limited time loss. It was a smart, controlled performance that secured her place on the podium and marked her second podium of the season.
“I think my skiing right now is quite good. I feel confident and I’m really happy that I could bring what I worked on in training into the race,” Weidle-Winkelmann said. “There were two small mistakes, but in general I’m happy with my run. It’s a new track for most of us and the first training was a little confusing. It took me a long time to inspect and remember the course.”
Third Place: Lindsey Vonn (USA)
Lindsey Vonn continued to impress with her confidence and competitiveness. Despite openly acknowledging that she is not the strongest glider, she carried the highest top speed of the day and attacked the course with authority. Small mistakes on some of the jump landings and a few minor line adjustments cost her approximately 0.26 seconds to Delago, but her run remained one of the most aggressive and exciting to watch.
“It was actually really tough, and I tried not to have too many expectations because I knew the other girls were going to be fast,” Vonn said. “The snow was really soft, it was really hard to see in the middle, and I made a pretty big mistake, but I’m happy to be on the podium again.”
The result carried added significance. The last time Vonn raced on this Tarvisio downhill, she also stood on the podium, and today’s third place marked her fifth podium in five races this season.
“For me, what’s important is to be consistent,” she added. “I’m really happy that I could do that despite the conditions.”
It has been an extraordinary level of consistency and an even more remarkable comeback. Her speed, resilience, and competitive fire continue to redefine expectations, leaving the ski world in awe of what she continues to achieve.
Together with Nicol Delago’s historic victory, the Tarvisio podium reflects a blend of emerging precision, veteran power, and home-soil excellence, setting the tone for an intense final stretch toward the Olympic Games.
Sister Strength and Resilient Performances
It was a special day for the Delago sisters in Tarvisio. While Nicol Delago celebrated her historic victory, her sister Nadia Delago delivered one of her strongest performances of the season, charging from bib 29 into 10th place. It marked a major step forward for Nadia, whose previous best result this winter was 18th in Zauchensee, and highlighted the growing confidence in her skiing.
Italy’s success extended well beyond the sisters. With three Italian women inside the top 10, including Laura Pirovano’s sixth-place finish, the home team delivered a powerful statement in front of an energized Tarvisio crowd.
The day also showcased remarkable resilience from Nina Ortlieb, who rebounded from a 39th-place finish in Zauchensee to claim an impressive fourth place. Her performance reflected both mental toughness and renewed belief, proving she has found stability and confidence in her approach once again.
Together, these results underscored the emotional and competitive depth of the day. From sisterly pride to personal comebacks and national celebration, Tarvisio delivered far more than podium results. It delivered powerful stories of persistence, belief, and momentum in front of a home crowd that had every reason to celebrate.
Stifel U.S. Ski Team Shows Its Depth
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team women continue to prove they are one of the deepest and most competitive programs in the field. Every American starter in Tarvisio is ranked inside the top 30 in downhill this season, a powerful statement of consistency, depth, and strength across the entire team.
Breezy Johnson leads the charge with a strong sixth-place finish, delivering a confident and aggressive run. A few small line adjustments cost her time, but her overall performance confirms she remains a major force in the speed discipline.
Jackie Wiles follows with a solid 13th place, building on her momentum after her third-place podium in Zauchensee. Her skiing continues to reflect growing confidence and stability.
Allison Mollin continues to impress with her adaptability, finishing 19th on a track that is new to her. Her ability to produce consistent results across unfamiliar venues highlights her technical growth.
Haley Cutler, racing independently with the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, once again proves her resilience and determination. Competing without full national-team support is no small task, yet she skis with confidence and composure, continuing to establish herself among the world’s best.
Isabella Wright rounds out the group in 29th, returning to competition after an injury that sidelined her for several weeks. Finishing inside the top 30 under those circumstances reflects both toughness and long-term promise.
Together, the U.S. women deliver another statement performance, reinforcing their position as a true powerhouse on the World Cup circuit as the Olympic picture continues to take shape.
High-bib impact (bib 31+)-
- Bib 31- Ricarda Haaser 🇦🇹- 22nd, +2.58- She delivered a courageous run after an extended start delay, waiting patiently while medical crews safely removed an injured course worker from the hill, then refocused and attacked the course with composure and commitment.
- Bib 42- Haley Cutler 🇺🇸- 23rd, +2.81
- Bib 32- Emily Schoepf 🇦🇹- 25th, +3.05
Top 30 Race Results
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Analysis of the leaders and Other North Americans among the top 30
About the Author: Katie Twible
