Breezy Johnson St Moritz Training Run 2025 / GEPA pictures
St. Moritz women’s downhill: start list and North American program
The women’s World Cup speed season opens Friday in St. Moritz with the first downhill of the 2026 Olympic year. It is the first of three consecutive speed races on Corviglia and the first chance for downhill specialists to score points on the road to Cortina.
The field looks different from last winter. Four of the top 10 women on the downhill World Cup Start List (WCSL) are out: Federica Brignone, Lauren Macuga, Lara Gut-Behrami and Corinne Suter will all miss the race due to injury. Their absence creates real opportunity for athletes deeper on the list, including skiers starting 31 and higher who now have a clearer path into the top 30 and World Cup points.
For the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, Macuga’s season-ending injury opens a spot in the Olympic downhill conversation. The United States starts eight women in St. Moritz, led by reigning downhill world champion Breezy Johnson and the most successful World Cup downhiller of all time, Lindsey Vonn. Canada brings two racers, with Valérie Grenier and Cassidy Gray both on the start list.
Below are the top 10 downhill WCSL athletes, the U.S. roster, and the Canadian starters, including bib number, birth year, nationality, and WCSL rank where applicable.
Top 10 WCSL (downhill)
- Bib 12 – Cornelia Hütter (1992, AUT) — WCSL 1 — Head
- Injured – Federica Brignone (1990, ITA) — WCSL 2
- Bib 15 – Sofia Goggia (1992, ITA) — WCSL 3 — Atomic
- Bib 11 – Breezy Johnson (1996, USA) — WCSL 4 — Atomic
- Injured out for the season – Lauren Macuga (2002, USA) — WCSL 5
- Bib 7 – Ester Ledecká (1995, CZE) — WCSL 6
- Injured out for the season – Lara Gut-Behrami (1991, SUI) — WCSL 7 — Head
- Bib 10 – Laura Pirovano (1997, ITA) — WCSL 7t — Head
- Bib 13 – Emma Aicher (2003, GER) — WCSL 9 — Atomic
- Injured out for the season – Corinne Suter (1994, SUI) — WCSL 10 — Stöckli
Stifel U.S. Ski Team starters
- Bib 11 – Breezy Johnson (1996) — WCSL 4 — Atomic
- Bib 16 – Lindsey Vonn (1984) — WCSL 19 — Head
- Bib 17 – Jacqueline Wiles (1992) — WCSL 17
- Bib 35 – Isabella Wright (1997) — WCSL 40 — Atomic
- Bib 41 – Haley Cutler (1997) — WCSL 46 — Atomic
- Bib 45 – Keely Cashman (1999) — WCSL 44 — Head
- Bib 53 – Allison Mollin (2004) — Head
- Bib 54 – Tricia Mangan (1997) — Head
Canada starters
- Bib 38 – Valérie Grenier (1996) — WCSL 39
- Bib 55 – Cassidy Gray (2001) — Atomic
Friday’s downhill takes place on December 12th and begins at 4:15 a.m. ET / 1:15 a.m. PT. Fans in Great Britain can watch the race at 9:15
United States: Live and replay coverage on Ski and Snowboard Live.
Canada: Stream on CBC Sports.
Great Britain: Both races air live on Discovery+
Daily Program Women’s Downhill
Click on the image to download
Women’s Downhill Start List —
About the Author: Peter Lange
