Rising Star Emma Aicher Steals the Spotlight in St. Moritz Downhill

Emma Aicher / GEPA pictures

While the podium featured familiar names, the defining storyline of the day came from Germany’s Emma Aicher. Only 22 years old, Aicher delivered a standout performance on one of the World Cup’s fastest and most technical downhill tracks, continuing a rise that began well before this season. Last winter, at just 21, she claimed her first World Cup downhill victory in Kvitfjell, becoming the youngest woman to win a downhill race since fellow German Gina Stechert achieved the feat in Tarvisio during the 2008–09 season.

That breakthrough win proved to be a turning point in Aicher’s career and clearly signaled her arrival as a legitimate force in the speed disciplines. One of the few athletes competing across all four disciplines, she has steadily expanded her downhill and super-G program without sacrificing strong results in the technical events.

Aicher skied with a level of composure and control well beyond her years, absorbing the increasingly bumpy conditions and carrying speed through the lower sections, where races are often decided. Her ability to manage risk while continuing to attack underscored the confidence and composure that have become hallmarks of her skiing.

“I’m just really happy,” Aicher said. “I’m happy with how I skied today and doing the things I wanted to do better from yesterday, so I’m just overall happy. I’m a bit surprised because I haven’t skied speed in a while, but I’m really happy with how I could keep the skiing from last year and just managed to build on that. I tried to ski clean and just do my best, and it worked out.”- Emma Aicher

With each start, Aicher continues to establish herself as one of Germany’s most versatile athletes and a name to watch closely as the Olympic season unfolds.

Vonn and Goggia Back on the Podium as Youth Prevails in St. Moritz Downhill

Running faster under brilliant blue skies, the women’s World Cup downhill in St. Moritz delivered another high-speed test, with a track that proved slightly more difficult as speeds climbed across the field. The track was noticeably bumpier than Friday, demanding great timing, strong legs, and full commitment from top to bottom.

Once again, Lindsey Vonn proved she belongs at the front of the field, finishing second in St. Moritz to back up her historic victory.

Vonn admitted, “I’m a little bit tired from yesterday, it was a lot of emotion. I thought I skied pretty well on top, I just made a mistake in the middle. I went in a little bit too direct and wasn’t quite in balance and then I fell on my hip when I landed. Didn’t ski the bottom the way I wanted to, but I’m really happy to be on the podium again and I still have the leader bib, so that’s important to me.”- Lindsey Vonn

Sofia Goggia, a veteran of the speed circuit and a longtime rival and close friend of Lindsey Vonn, finished third, improving on her fourth-place result from Friday.

Reflecting on her run, Goggia said, “I’m sorry for that left foot turn, I was really, really low. I tried to push it but I felt I lost the speed. I didn’t really expect that it would have brought me that low. But at the same time, I think my performance was OK. It was a solid performance, both today and yesterday.”- Sofia Goggia

U.S. Depth on Full Display Again

Once again, the Stifel U.S. Ski Team demonstrated its depth and strength in St. Moritz. On a downhill track that grew more challenging with each skier down the hill, the Americans placed two skiers in the top five and six inside the top 30, highlighting both the team’s talent and its growing momentum as the Olympic season progresses.

Behind Lindsey Vonn’s podium performance, Breezy Johnson delivered one of her strongest races of the season, finishing fourth and narrowly missing the podium on a demanding track that rewarded patience, strength, and speed tolerance.

“I feel good,” Johnson said. “I’ve been struggling a lot the last few days, so just getting out of the start today and yesterday was a pretty big victory for me. My 99th start was probably the hardest of my entire career, and it’s getting better in the triple digits, and hopefully it continues to do so.”- Breezy Johnson

Saturday’s race also marked Johnson’s 100th career World Cup start.

“I love World Cup. I love racing,” Johnson said. “It’s a gorgeous day, so it was a great day to hit a hundred and keep going from here. Great job to Lindsey. The whole team is firing. Everybody’s so excited. We’re leading the Women’s Nations Cup, which is huge, and it’s a testament to how powerful this women’s team is.”- Breezy Johnson

Jacqueline Wiles finished 20th, continuing a steady and consistent start to her speed season on a track that rewarded discipline and experience. Keely Cashman followed closely in 21st, building momentum after a confident training block and reinforcing her emerging presence in the downhill group. Allison Mollin completed the U.S. results in the points in 22nd, scoring World Cup points for the second straight race and continuing a strong early-season trajectory.

“My run actually felt a little bit rowdy, like not the nicest feeling ever anywhere,” Mollin said. “I just tried to keep my nose in it and keep going down, trying to be clean, even though it definitely wasn’t, especially toward the end when I was tired. It instills a quiet confidence at the start, just knowing what I’m capable of and what’s possible going forward.”- Allison Mollin

The most notable charge came from Isabella “Bella” Wright, who surged from bib 23 into 13th place in her first World Cup speed races since February, marking a strong return after an injury that sidelined her for much of last season.

“Yeah, it’s exciting to keep the momentum building and I think it was another solid day for myself,” Wright said. “I was a little bit more on the rowdy side today and risked some things. So in a way it was a really good attitude, but maybe cost me a touch here and there. Overall, I’m really happy with the attitude and just excited for the team on another solid day. I’m really excited for Super G tomorrow. I feel like we are skiing really well in both events right now, and honestly, I feel like my Super G is really up to par, so I’m excited to see how it goes for the whole team.”- Isabella Wright

Harder Path for Later Bibs

With tighter margins and a course that grew significantly bumpier than the opening downhill, it was much harder for later starters to break into the top 30 on Saturday. As the bumps worsened and speeds climbed, the window for clean, aggressive skiing continued to narrow, leaving fewer opportunities for those starting further back.

Still, a handful of athletes managed to break through and deliver standout performances despite the challenging conditions.

Eyes on Super-G

With the downhill complete, attention now turns to tomorrow’s women’s super-G in St. Moritz. Lindsey Vonn, fresh off another podium, has said she is feeling increasingly confident in the speed discipline.

The depth and momentum displayed by the U.S. team in the downhill carry directly into super-G, with the next generation poised to challenge the established stars. With significant players like Lara Gut-Behrami and Federica Brignone absent from the start list, the field is wide open, giving both veterans and rising talents a chance to make their mark. One thing is certain: Lindsey Vonn has set the standard, and tomorrow’s race sets the stage for more high-speed drama.