Robinson, Goggia, Vonn / Val d’Isère / GEPA pictures
Sofia Goggia delivered a fearless, authoritative performance to win Sunday’s women’s World Cup super-G in Val d’Isère, France, capturing her eighth career World Cup super-G victory and closing the final women’s race before the Christmas break with a powerful statement.
The Italian star stopped the clock in 1 minute, 20.24 seconds on a track that rewarded execution and punished hesitation. Her decisive advantage came in the demanding fourth sector, where she separated herself from the field and never gave the lead back.
Despite the result, Goggia admitted she did not expect her run to hold up when she crossed the finish line. She said she initially thought it might not last “for the victory — maybe not even for the podium,” explaining that she felt “really round” in the upper turns and sensed she still had reserve. She said she was happy to be wrong.
“Only the brave,” one of Goggia’s favorite sayings, once again fit the moment.
Podium battle settles early
Alice Robinson of New Zealand pushed Goggia hardest, finishing second, just 0.15 seconds back. The season-opening super-G winner in St. Moritz built an early advantage with the fastest second sector before losing time late as conditions became more challenging. “I was a little annoyed when I came through the finish because it was so close and I thought I could have done it better,” Robinson said. “I’m happy that I was still able to stay in touch on that kind of course where I’m not always the best.”
The result marked Robinson’s second career World Cup super-G podium, with both coming this season, and allowed her to retain the discipline lead by 20 points after two races.
Stifel U.S. Ski Team superstar Lindsey Vonn completed the podium in third, 0.36 seconds behind Goggia. Racing with bib 13, the 41-year-old delivered one of the strongest technical performances of the day, posting the fastest times in two sectors and building speed through the middle of the course to secure her 48th career World Cup super-G podium.
“I didn’t quite have enough direction on the first jump,” Vonn said. “I thought I was fine but I think it cost me some time. After that, I skied well.” She added that she was not disappointed with her performance. “It’s really hard to always be on the podium, so I’m walking away with a smile.”
After the first 10 starters, the top three had all finished inside the top six at the St. Moritz season opener, an early signal that form and confidence were already shaping the super-G discipline.
Early leaders, late pressure, and a roaring home crowd
Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Keely Cashman set the tone as the first skier on course, holding the lead through three starters with a confident, attacking run. Slovenia’s Ilka Štuhec edged ahead by just 0.06 seconds before Goggia arrived and reset the benchmark.
A brief course hold interrupted the race as officials secured a wind-affected advertising banner. Italy’s Elena Curtoni followed but was unable to match the top pace, finishing fourth, 0.73 seconds back.
One of the most electric moments of the race came from France’s Camille Cerutti. Starting with bib 27, Cerutti skied on the edge of possibility, held the lead through multiple sectors, and crossed the line fifth, just 0.82 seconds behind Goggia. Racing on home snow, her aggressive run sent the Val d’Isère crowd into a frenzy and underscored the depth of the field.
Like their male counterparts, the Italian women showed clear Olympic-season energy, placing two skiers inside the top four and reinforcing Italy’s growing confidence with the home Olympics approaching.
Why the winning run worked
The race was ultimately decided in the fourth sector, where Goggia created the decisive gap. She said afterward that she was really pushing the lines through that section and believed that was where she made the difference.
Her ability to stay clean and carry speed through the lower part of the course proved decisive, even as Robinson applied pressure earlier on the track and Vonn attacked with raw speed through the middle sectors.
USA & CAN point scorers
Stifel US Ski Team
- Bib 13 — Lindsey Vonn: 3rd, +0.36 — 1:20.60
- Bib 1 — Keely Cashman: tied 11th, +0.96 — 1:21.20
- Bib 30 — Tricia Mangan: 24th, +1.65 — 1:21.89
Cashman’s 11th-place finish continued a strong run of results, reinforcing her momentum toward the World Cup Finals and Olympic selection. Mangan, known for her super-G strength, delivered another solid points performance.
“I was excited to start with bib 1 today — that was a first for me. It was super warm, so I knew I had to take advantage of the start position. It was tough not knowing how the course would run, so I stuck to the plan from inspection, and I think I had a solid run. It was a really tight race, so I’m happy with the result and eager for more.”
— Keely Cashman
Alpine Canada Alpin
- Bib 24 — Valérie Grenier: 19th, +1.32 — 1:21.56
Grenier, the first of two Canadians to start, used her experience to secure a valuable points result on a demanding course.
High-bib impact (bibs 31+)
- Bib 39 — Delia Durrer (SUI): 24th, +1.65 — 1:21.89
- Bib 32 — Sara Allemand (ITA): 26th, +1.70 — 1:21.94
- Bib 31 — Jasmine Flury (SUI): 27th, +1.78 — 1:22.02
Highest bib to score points: Bib 39 — Delia Durrer
Fastest finisher among bibs 31+: Delia Durrer
The race ran unusually clean, with the first DNF not coming until bib 34, highlighting how tightly matched the field was throughout the start list.
What’s next
Sunday’s super-G marked the final women’s World Cup race before the Christmas break. The tour resumes with giant slalom and slalom in Semmering, Austria, on Dec. 27 and 28, but the women return to speed in Zauchensee, with a downhill on Jan. 10 and super-G on Jan. 11.
The Olympic season is already gaining momentum — and Val d’Isère delivered a clear signal of who is ready to push the limits.
Top 30 results
Click on images to enlarge
Analysis of the top three and Other North Americans among the top 30
About the Author: Peter Lange
