Lindsey Vonn launches the women's speed season with a bang. The 41-year-old American leads by a large margin in the first of two World Cup downhill races in St. Moritz
12.12.2025, 11:28
12.12.2025, 11:43
SDA
One year after her comeback after almost seven years and more than 25 years after her debut in the World Cup, the physically recovered Vonn distanced the Austrians Magdalena Egger and Mirjam Puchner by 0.98 and 1.16 seconds respectively. The 24-year old Egger raced ahead with start number 27 and relegated Sofia Goggia to 4th place.
At the age of 41 years and just under two months, Vonn is now on the verge of her first World Cup victory since March 2018 and her 83rd overall. No World Cup winner has ever been older than the long-time speed queen from Minnesota. Ingemar Stenmark, the athlete with the second most victories behind Mikaela Shiffrin (104 wins), is now just three wins ahead of Vonn, who retired in 2019 and returned in December 2024.
"All the hard work is paying off. I knew I was in good shape. Now I can finally ski the way I want to again - without pain, without problems. My head is free again to ski fast. That makes me very, very happy," said Vonn in an initial reaction to SRF.
The best athlete in the Swiss team, which has been shaken by injuries to Lara Gut-Behrami, Corinne Suter and Michelle Gisin, is Malorie Blanc in 13th place, followed by Jasmina Suter (16th). Jasmine Flury is in 22nd place on her comeback after 22 months, four behind Janine Schmitt.
