Today, Federica Brignone claimed her first Alpine Ski World Cup Downhill victory in St. Anton. This marks Brignone's eighth podium finish in the discipline and her 30th victory in the World Cup. The only Italian with over 30 World Cup victories is ski legend Alberto Tomba, who has 50.
"I know I wasn't perfect. But I didn't let that put me off and just let the skis run. I found the right solution between full attack and ski smoothly the line because this is a downhill and not a super-G," Brignone said.
Swiss young talent Malorie Blanc finished in second position just 0.07 seconds behind the Italian. With bib 46 the Super-G Junior World Champion delivered an outstanding performance to achieve her first podium in her second race in the World Cup. Remarkably, the 21-year-old reached the podium in her first Downhill race only a month after her World Cup debut in St. Moritz. Her result today is even greater when you consider that she tore her cruciate ligament in February, shortly after winning gold in the Super-G and silver in the Downhill at the Junior World Championships in Chatel in January 2024.
"It's difficult to find words for it. I didn't understand what happened. I just tried to ride relaxed and have fun. And it worked," Blanc said.
Ester Ledecka finished in third place 0.18 seconds behind Brignone, her best World Cup Downhill result in almost three years. The Super-G Olympic champion celebrated her 11th Alpine Ski World Cup podium.
“My snowboarding skills paid off today because mostly I was outside everyone else’s line. So I was maybe a little bit round on some turns but in the end it really paid off. It’s good to have some snowboarding skills sometimes," Ledecka said.
Lindsey Vonn put in an unexpectedly strong performance in her second race after a six-year break, finishing sixth.
"It's a big day for me. Coming fifth in the first downhill in six years is cool. With the spectators and the atmosphere - that's very emotional for me. I have nothing to lose, I've done everything I wanted in my career. I just have a chance to have fun again. That makes me free. But of course it's a shame that I didn't make it onto the podium. It was so close. I've always had confidence in myself and know that I can still improve. I have my next chance in the Super-G on Sunday," Vonn said.
Cornelia Huetter, who finished 7th today, keeps the lead in the Downhill standings, seven points ahead of Federica Brignone.
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