The Olympic season in alpine skiing has been filled with excitement. Notably, 41-year-old American star Lindsey Vonn has made a remarkable comeback. Vonn, a four-time World Cup overall champion, had to step away from the sport in 2019 due to injuries. However, equipped with a new titanium knee, she returned last season and secured a silver in her final race. Vonn, now a gold-medal favorite for her sixth Olympics, has been dominating this season, winning medals in all five women’s downhill races, including two golds.
Meanwhile, U.S. skier Mikaela Shiffrin, a five-time overall champion, has also made a strong comeback. Shiffrin broke Vonn’s all-time World Cup women’s wins record in 2023 and has been performing exceptionally well this season, winning six out of seven slaloms.
On the men’s side, Swiss athlete Marco Odermatt has been showcasing impressive skills, with seven wins in 15 starts this season, positioning him for his fifth consecutive overall title and potentially his third consecutive Crystal Globes in downhill, super-G, and giant slalom.
Unfortunately, it has been a challenging season for Canadian ski racers, with only one medal won so far. Top Olympic contenders Jack Crawford and Cam Alexander have not been at their best. Crawford, known for his past achievements, has struggled this season with only one top-10 finish. Alexander, recovering from a knee injury, has not managed to secure a top-six position in any of his races.
Both Crawford and Alexander are hoping to turn things around at the prestigious annual Kitzbuhel stop on the men’s World Cup tour. Kitzbuhel is home to the renowned Streif downhill course, known for its challenging terrain and history of near-death experiences. The upcoming races in Kitzbuhel present an opportunity for the Canadian skiers to regain confidence ahead of the Olympics.
The competition in Kitzbuhel kicks off with the super-G followed by the downhill event. Fans can watch these races live on the CBC Sports website and the CBC Gem streaming app.