Lindsey Vonn / Val d’Isère / GEPA pictures
Val d’Isère (FRA) brings women’s World Cup speed back to the Oreiller-Killy course on Saturday, Dec. 20, with a downhill that demands full commitment from every athlete.
The women did not race in Val d’Isère last season, adding uncertainty to an Olympic-year downhill where familiarity matters and mistakes are punished immediately with the loss of speed. With two downhills already completed in St. Moritz, the season picture is beginning to take shape — but nothing is settled.
Olympic season stakes
This winter, every women’s speed race carries added weight. Athletes are either fighting to earn selection to their Cortina 2026 Olympic teams or pushing for stronger World Cup seeding to improve start positions and maximize podium chances — now and at the Games.
Women’s World Cup Downhill Podiums — 2025–26 Season
| Race | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Moritz DH 1 | Lindsey Vonn (USA) | Magdalena Egger (AUT) | Mirjam Puchner (AUT) |
| St. Moritz DH 2 | Emma Aicher (GER) | Lindsey Vonn (USA) | Sofia Goggia (ITA) |
Downhill standings: Top 7 after two races
- Lindsey Vonn (USA) — bib 8 — 1984 — HEAD / Oakley — 180 points
- Emma Aicher (GER) — bib 13 — 2003 — HEAD — 145 points
- Magdalena Egger (AUT) — bib 4 — 2001 — HEAD — 116 points
- Sofia Goggia (ITA) — bib 14 — 1992 — Atomic — 110 points
- Mirjam Puchner (AUT) — bib 11 — 1992 — Atomic — 105 points
- Laura Pirovano (ITA) — bib 12 — 1997 — HEAD — 72 points
- Breezy Johnson (USA) — bib 15 — 1996 — Atomic — 66 points
Additional Start order spotlights
Germany’s Kira Weidle-Winkelmann opens the race with bib 1, immediately followed by Ilka Štuhec (bib 2) and Romane Miradoli (bib 3), ensuring fast times arrive early.
The start list loads quickly with contenders. Magdalena Egger races at bib 4, followed by Lindsey Vonn at bib 8. The heart of the field is stacked with Laura Pirovano (bib 12), Emma Aicher (bib 13), and Sofia Goggia (bib 14), before Breezy Johnson launches at bib 15 and Jacqueline Wiles follows at bib 16.
Stifel U.S. Ski Team
The United States brings eight starters into Val d’Isère, led by the current downhill standings leader and two-time 2025 St. Moritz podium finisher.
Stifel U.S. Ski Team — Women’s Downhill (Val d’Isère)
- Lindsey Vonn (USA) — bib 8 — 1984 — HEAD, Oakley
- Breezy Johnson (USA) — bib 15 — 1996 — Atomic
- Jacqueline Wiles (USA) — bib 16 — 1992
- Isabella Wright (USA) — bib 21 — 1997 — Atomic
- Keely Cashman (USA) — bib 35 — 1999 — HEAD
- Haley Cutler (USA) — bib 37 — 1999 — Atomic
- Allison Mollin (USA) — bib 41 — 2004 — HEAD
- Tricia Mangan (USA) — bib 47 — 1997 — HEAD
Canada
Canada enters two athletes in the downhill, both racing in a season where every result carries Olympic implications.
Canada — Women’s Downhill (Val d’Isère)
- Valérie Grenier (CAN) — bib 34 — 1996
- Cassidy Gray (CAN) — bib 48 — 2000 — Atomic
The women’s downhill takes place on December 20th and begins at 4:30 a.m. ET / 1:30 a.m. PT. Fans in Great Britain can watch the race at 9:30
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
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Women’s Downhill Start List
About the Author: Peter Lange
