Laura Pirovano / GEPA picture
The FIS Alpine Ski World Cup women remain in Val di Fassa, Italy, where the La VolatA course hosts Downhill 2 of the weekend and the eighth downhill race of the 2025–26 season.
In this article you will find the official start list, how and when to watch, the daily race program, and analysis of the field as the downhill season enters its decisive phase.
Saturday’s race carries enormous implications. It is the final downhill before the World Cup Finals field is determined, meaning the battle for the crystal globe and the fight to finish inside the top 25 in the discipline standings both reach a critical moment.
Who Leads the Downhill World Cup Standings?
Top Five — World Cup Downhill Standings
(after Val di Fassa DH1, 8 of 10 races)
- 🇺🇸 Lindsey Vonn (USA, 1984, Oakley, Head) — 400 pts (out for the rest of the season)
- 🇩🇪 Emma Aicher (GER, 2003, Head) — −14
- 🇮🇹 Laura Pirovano (ITA, 1997, Head) — −64
- 🇩🇪 Kira Weidle-Winkelmann (GER, 1996) — −94
- 🇺🇸 Breezy Johnson (USA, 1996, Atomic) — −117
Emma Aicher now sits firmly in the driver’s seat in the downhill globe race. With two races remaining in the season, the German has built valuable separation at the top of the standings.
Breezy Johnson’s podium in the first Val di Fassa downhill keeps the Olympic champion within striking distance, while Laura Pirovano’s victory Thursday ensures the Italian remains very much in the conversation.
Still, Aicher now controls the race for the globe and would likely need a difficult race or two to surrender the lead.
What Does the Season Podium Table Tell Us?
| Venue | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Moritz DH1 | 🇺🇸 Lindsey Vonn (USA) | 🇦🇹 Magdalena Egger (AUT) | 🇦🇹 Mirjam Puchner (AUT) |
| St. Moritz DH2 | 🇩🇪 Emma Aicher (GER) | 🇺🇸 Lindsey Vonn (USA) | 🇮🇹 Sofia Goggia (ITA) |
| Val d’Isère | 🇦🇹 Cornelia Hütter (AUT) | 🇩🇪 Kira Weidle-Winkelmann (GER) | 🇺🇸 Lindsey Vonn (USA) |
| Zauchensee | 🇺🇸 Lindsey Vonn (USA) | 🇳🇴 Kajsa Vickhoff Lie (NOR) | 🇺🇸 Jacqueline Wiles (USA) |
| Tarvisio | 🇮🇹 Nicol Delago (ITA) | 🇩🇪 Kira Weidle-Winkelmann (GER) | 🇺🇸 Lindsey Vonn (USA) |
| Olympic Cortina | 🥇 🇺🇸 Breezy Johnson (USA) | 🥈 🇩🇪 Emma Aicher (GER) | 🥉 🇮🇹 Sofia Goggia (ITA) |
| Soldeu | 🇨🇭 Corinne Suter (SUI) | 🇦🇹 Nina Ortlieb (AUT) | 🇮🇹 Sofia Goggia (ITA) |
| Val di Fassa DH1 | 🇮🇹 Laura Pirovano (ITA) | 🇩🇪 Emma Aicher (GER) | 🇺🇸 Breezy Johnson (USA) |
Through eight races, the women’s downhill season has produced 6 different winners from 5 countries. A total of 14 different athletes from 6 countries have reached the podium.
Podium totals by nation
- 🇺🇸 USA — 7
- 🇦🇹 Austria — 4
- 🇩🇪 Germany — 4
- 🇮🇹 Italy — 5
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland — 1
- 🇳🇴 Norway — 1
The results show the depth of the discipline as the season approaches its conclusion.
Which Racers Hold the Top Downhill Start Positions (WCSL)?
The World Cup Start List (WCSL) ranking determines the seeded start group, placing the strongest downhill athletes early in the race while the course remains in its best condition.
Top Seven — WCSL Downhill (ordered by bib)
- • Bib 6 – 🇺🇸 Breezy Johnson (USA, 1996, Atomic) — WCSL DH Rank: 2
- • Bib 7 – 🇮🇹 Sofia Goggia (ITA, 1992, Atomic) — WCSL DH Rank: 6
- • Bib 11 – 🇦🇹 Cornelia Hütter (AUT, 1992, Head) — WCSL DH Rank: 5
- • Bib 12 – 🇩🇪 Emma Aicher (GER, 2003, Head) — WCSL DH Rank: 1
- • Bib 14 – 🇩🇪 Kira Weidle-Winkelmann (GER, 1996) — WCSL DH Rank: 7
- • Bib 15 – 🇮🇹 Laura Pirovano (ITA, 1997, Head) — WCSL DH Rank: 3
These athletes will likely shape the outcome as they attack the course in search of victory
How Strong Is the Stifel U.S. Ski Team Downhill Squad?
Even with last season’s best-ranked American downhill skier sidelined for the year, the Stifel U.S. Ski Team has demonstrated impressive depth.
Nine American women have scored World Cup downhill points this season, an outstanding accomplishment in one of alpine skiing’s most demanding disciplines.
USA Women — Val di Fassa Downhill 2 Start List
- • Bib 6 – 🇺🇸 Breezy Johnson (USA, 1996, Atomic) – 2nd in DH – 441 pts – Stifel U.S. Ski Team / Rowmark Ski Academy
- • Bib 8 – 🇺🇸 Jacqueline Wiles (USA, 1992) – 12th in DH – 176 pts – Stifel U.S. Ski Team
- • Bib 22 – 🇺🇸 Allison Mollin (USA, 2004, Head) – 21st in DH – 82 pts – Stifel U.S. Ski Team
- • Bib 23 – 🇺🇸 Isabella Wright (USA, 1997, Atomic) – 27th in DH – 37 pts – Stifel U.S. Ski Team
- • Bib 29 – 🇺🇸 Haley Cutler (USA, 1997, Atomic) – 30th in DH – 23 pts – USA Independent
- • Bib 30 – 🇺🇸 Keely Cashman (USA, 1999, Head) – 26th in DH – 42 pts – Stifel U.S. Ski Team
- • Bib 45 – 🇺🇸 Tricia Mangan (USA, 1997, Head) – 50th in DH – 2 pts – Stifel U.S. Ski Team / Dartmouth College
- • Bib 53 – 🇺🇸 Mary Bocock (USA, 2003) – 45th in DH – 7 pts – Stifel U.S. Ski Team / Rowmark Ski Academy
Johnson returns to the start after finishing third in the first downhill of the weekend, giving the Olympic champion another opportunity to attack the same course.
Who Can Qualify for the World Cup Finals?
Saturday’s race determines the final downhill field for the World Cup Finals, where only the top 25 in the discipline standings earn a start.
Keely Cashman (26th) and Isabella Wright (27th) sit just outside the cutoff and will need strong performances to qualify.
For Haley Cutler (30th), Tricia Mangan (50th), and Mary Bocock (45th), the challenge is far greater. Each would need the race of their lives to break into the top-25 and extend their downhill seasons.
Click images to enlarge
The women’s downhill takes place on Friday, March 6th, and begins at 4:45 a.m. ET / 1:45 a.m. PT. Fans in Great Britain can watch the race at 19:45
- 🇺🇸 United States: Live coverage and replay on Ski and Snowboard Live
- 🇨🇦 Canada: Stream on CBC Sports
- 🇬🇧 Great Britain: 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
