Brignone, Ortlieb, Suter 2020 SG podium La Thuile: GEPA picture
Why, When and How to Watch the Women’s World Cup Super G in La Thuile
Super G Returns to La Thuile
The Women’s Alpine Ski World Cup heads back to La Thuile, Italy, for two super-G races, marking the resort’s third time hosting the circuit. The events on the steep and technical “Number 3 Franco Berthod” slope come at a critical point in the season, with just two super-G races left before the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho.
A History of Thrilling Races
La Thuile made its World Cup debut in 2016, instantly earning praise for its demanding course and thrilling races. The venue returned in 2020, though only one super-G was completed before weather conditions disrupted the schedule. Now, after another five-year wait, the world’s best speed skiers are back to tackle one of the toughest slopes on the circuit.
A Crucial Race for the Standings
Thursday’s race replaces the super-G canceled earlier this season in St. Moritz, making it a key opportunity for athletes to gain points in the season standings. It is also the second-to-last regular-season super-G, with the final race taking place the very next day on the same slope. That adds even more urgency for those fighting to secure their place in Sun Valley. With the discipline title still on the line and qualification at stake, the pressure will be high as racers charge down the icy, 1,500-meter course.
A Demanding and Technical Course
The super-G course at La Thuile is as challenging as they come. Starting at an elevation of 2,075 meters, it plunges 555 meters in a vertical drop to the finish at 1,520 meters. The track stretches 1,500 meters long, winding through steep terrain with technical turns and tricky transitions.
One of the Steepest Slopes on Tour
The most daunting section, Grand Muret, reaches a maximum gradient of 76% just seconds after the start. Athletes have compared La Thuile to the women’s Kitzbühel for its technical difficulty and often challenging snow conditions, especially in March.
The Last Super G in La Thuile
The last Women’s World Cup super-G in La Thuile, in February 2020, saw Austria’s Nina Ortlieb take the win, with Italy’s Federica Brignone finishing second and Austria’s Corrine Suter in third.
Ortlieb, however, won’t be racing this time. She suffered a season-ending lower-leg injury in a downhill crash earlier this year in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
This Season’s World Cup Super-G Podium Finishers
| Race Location | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|
| Beaver Creek, Birds of Prey, USA | Sofia Goggia (ITA) | Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) | Ariane Raedler (AUT) |
| St. Moritz, Switzerland | Cornelia Hütter (AUT) | Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) | Sofia Goggia (ITA) |
| St. Anton, Austria | Lauren Macuga (USA) | Stephanie Venier (AUT) 2025 World Champion | Federica Brignone (ITA) |
| Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy | Federica Brignone (ITA) | Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) | Corinne Suter (SUI) |
| Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GER | Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) | Kajsa Vickhoff Lie (NOR) | Federica Brignone (ITA) |
| Kvitfjell, Norway | Federica Brignone (ITA) | Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) | Sofia Goggia (ITA) |
So far, five women from five countries have won the six women’s super-G races this season. In total, nine skiers from five nations have stood on a World Cup super-G podium, showcasing the depth of competition in the discipline.
Austria (AUT) – 3 skiers, Italy (ITA) – 2 skiers, Switzerland (SUI) – 2 skiers, United States (USA) – 1 skier, Norway (NOR) – 1 skier
Top 5 Super-G Standings
| Rank | Name | Nation | Points | Points Behind Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lara Gut-Behrami | SUI | 465 | – |
| 2 | Federica Brignone | ITA | 410 | -55 |
| 3 | Sofia Goggia | ITA | 306 | -159 |
| 4 | Kajsa Vickhoff Lie | NOR | 252 | -213 |
| 5 | Lauren Macuga | USA | 222 | -243 |
With three super-G races left, the discipline title is still up for grabs, though Gut-Behrami holds a strong lead.
Top 15 2024-25 Super-G World Cup Standings
click images to enlarge
Analysis of the Top 15 in the Women’s Super-G Standings
The current top 15 features skiers from nine different countries, showcasing the depth of competition. Here’s the corrected breakdown by nation:
- Italy (ITA): 4 skiers
- Austria (AUT): 3 skiers
- Switzerland (SUI): 2 skiers
- Norway (NOR): 1 skier
- USA: 1 skier
- Czech Republic (CZE): 1 skier
- New Zealand (NZL): 1 skier
- France (FRA): 1 skier
- Germany (GER): 1 skier
Forty-nine women from 14 countries are listed to compete in the Mar. 13 La Thuile, Italy Women’s super G.
The course was set by Charly Pichler (GER)
Stifel U.S. Ski Team Women in the World Cup SG Standings
North American Contenders in Kvitfjell
Strong U.S. Presence
Macuga, ranked fifth in the season standings, leads a competitive U.S. team in super-G. The 23-year-old has been remarkably consistent, never finishing outside the top 15 this season. Her breakthrough World Cup victory in St. Anton proved she can compete with the best.
Lindsey Vonn, 40, ranked 17th in the standings, recently came out of retirement and will make her World Cup super-G debut in Kvitfjell. Despite limited starts, she has already delivered three top-15 finishes this season, including an impressive fourth place in St. Anton. With a record 28 career World Cup super-G wins, she remains a podium threat—especially on a hill where she finished third in 2016.
U.S. Skiers Fighting for Points
Four other Stifel U.S. Ski Team members have scored super-G points this season:
- Keely Cashman (22nd in standings) – Well inside the top 25 and in position to qualify for the World Cup Finals.
- Breezy Johnson (34th) – The reigning downhill world champion, looking to climb the super-G rankings.
- Tricia Mangan (38th) – Consistently fighting for points, aiming to break into the top 30.
- Jacqueline Wiles (42nd) – Needs a strong result to move into the top 30.
Stifel U.S. Ski Team member Allison Mollin will also compete, seeking her first super-G points.
Canadian Entrants
Canada will be represented by one athlete in La Thuile:
- Valérie Grenier (36th in standings) – She has competed in four super-G races this season, finishing just one—a strong 15th-place result in St. Anton. She’ll be aiming for another solid performance to move up the rankings.
North American Athletes Racing Super-G
- Bib 9, Lauren Macuga, Stifel USST, Park City Ski Team, Winter Sports School
- Bib 20, Lindsey Vonn, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, HEAD, Oakley
- Bib 28, Keely Cashman, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, Oakley, HEAD
- Bib 31, Valérie Grenier, ACA, Club de Ski Mont Tremblant
- Bib 33, Breezy Johnson, Stifel USST, Rowmark Ski Academy, Atomic
- Bib 40, Trish Mangan, Stifel USST, HoliMont Snowsports, Dartmouth College, HEAD
- Bib 41, Jacqueline Wiles, Stifel USST, White Pass Ski Club
- Bib 47, Allison Mollin, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, HEAD
What to Watch For
With just two regular-season super-G races left, La Thuile is a crucial battleground for the season title and World Cup Finals qualification.
- Super-G Globe Battle – Gut-Behrami leads the standings, but Brignone, Goggia, and Vickhoff Lie remain in contention. Brignone will look to close the gap on home snow.
- Italy’s Strong Presence – Italy has won three of six super-G races this season. Brignone and Goggia have podium finishes in La Thuile, making them top contenders.
- Macuga’s Momentum – The young American sits fifth in the standings and has been a model of consistency. Another strong result could solidify her breakout season.
- Vonn Returns to La Thuile – The skiing legend, back from retirement, finished third in La Thuile’s 2016 super-G. She has three top-15 finishes this season and remains a podium threat.
- Final Push for Finals – Only the top 25 qualify for the World Cup Finals.
The “Number 3 Franco Berthod” slope is one of the steepest and most technical on the circuit. With icy March conditions expected, only the boldest skiers will thrive.
How and When to Watch
The race starts at 6:00 a.m. Eastern and 3:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
U.S. audiences can watch the race live or as a replay on Ski and Snowboard Live.
Sports enthusiasts in Canada can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports.
Daily Program and Start List
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Start List
About the Author: Peter Lange
