As the dust settles on the thrilling regular season of women’s downhill skiing, the stage is set for a nail-biting finale at the World Cup finals in Saalbach, Austria, on March 23rd. With the last regular season downhill in Kvitfjell, Norway, canceled, the anticipation for the showdown in Saalbach is at an all-time high.

Leading the charge in the season’s title chase is Lara Gut-Behrami, who holds a commanding 68-point lead over her closest rival, Austrian Stephanie Venier. However, trailing just 19 points behind Gut-Behrami is Italian Sofia Goggia, last season’s title winner, who, unfortunately, had to bow out due to a season-ending injury.

As the countdown to the finals begins, only the top 25 racers from the regular season, along with the reigning Junior World Champion in each event, have secured their spots. This season’s junior champion is 19-year-old Austrian sensation Victoria Olivier, ready to make her mark on the world stage.

The regular season witnessed seven exhilarating downhill races, with each event showcasing a different champion. The competition has been fierce from Mikaela Shiffrin’s triumphant return to the podium to Jasmine Flury’s stellar performance. Notably, only Italy and Switzerland managed to secure two wins each, adding to the season’s intensity.

In the Women’s Downhill Nations Cup battle, Italy leads the pack with 1266 points, closely followed by Austria with 1200 and Switzerland with 1123. However, the Stifel US Ski Team sits in a distant fourth place with 372 points, while Canada, hampered by injuries, sits at 10th with 67 points.

2024 women’s Nations Cup downhill standings

North American hopefuls have paved the road to the finals with challenges and triumphs. With her first podium since 2018, Stifel US Ski Team’s Jacqueline Wiles leads the charge with 164 points, ranking 12th in the downhill standings. Despite a season-interrupting injury, Mikaela Shiffrin’s remarkable victory earned her a spot in the finals, finishing the regular season in 20th place. Additionally, Isabella Wright of the Stifel US Ski Team narrowly missed qualifying by 9 points after an impressive 17th-place ranking last season. Meanwhile, Valérie Grenier’s promising start was cut short by injury, leaving her unable to compete in Saalbach.

The Women’s World Cup downhill final is poised to crown the season’s champion and the prestigious discipline Nations Cup winner. All eyes are on Saalbach, Austria. As the world’s finest downhill skiers prepare to battle it out on the slopes, one thing is certain: March 23rd will be a day to remember in women’s skiing history.

Top 25 World Cup downhill women 2024