At 41 years old, Lindsey Vonn continues to excel on the World Cup speed circuit, consistently securing podium finishes. In a recent super-G event in Tarvisio, Italy, Vonn clinched second place despite challenging visibility conditions, marking her seventh podium out of eight races this season. Unlike other skiers who have fewer podium finishes, Vonn’s lowest result this season is a commendable fourth place. Even Mikaela Shiffrin, with seven podiums in 14 technical races, hasn’t displayed the same level of consistency across all disciplines.
Vonn’s impressive performances position her as a top contender for medals in both downhill and super-G at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, scheduled to commence in less than three weeks. Although Vonn was narrowly beaten by Germany’s Emma Aicher, a skier 19 years her junior, she remains optimistic and focused on the upcoming competitions.
Aicher claimed victory in the super-G with a time of 1:14.04, edging out Vonn by 0.27 seconds. Ester Ledecka, a former Olympic champion, secured third place, finishing 0.94 seconds behind. Despite the challenging conditions, Vonn expressed satisfaction with her podium finish and remains determined to strive for more success in future races.
In a separate incident, Alice Robinson, a New Zealand skier who has excelled in giant slaloms and super-G events this season, encountered a crash at the final gate but thankfully avoided serious injuries. The adverse weather conditions, particularly fog in the upper section, posed challenges for skiers navigating the Prampero course.
Looking ahead, the women’s circuit will continue in Italy with the Kronplatz giant slalom event, followed by the final set of speed races in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, before the Olympics. Additionally, the Italian team announced the return of defending overall World Cup champion Federica Brignone for the Kronplatz race, following her recovery from a leg injury. Brignone’s participation will be confirmed after assessing the course on Monday.
The competitive spirit remains high among the skiers as they prepare for upcoming challenges and strive for excellence on the slopes.
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