Lindsey Vonn wins her downhill in eight years, beating Mirjam Puchner by 1.16 seconds. The 41-year-old, with titanium knee implants, eyes a 2026 Olympic gold.
“It was an amazing day, I couldn’t be happier, pretty emotional,” Vonn told Swiss broadcaster RTS. “I felt good this summer but I wasn’t sure how fast I was. I guess I know now how fast I am.”
The Comeback Victory
Lindsey Vonn took the World Cup downhill title on Friday, her first win in nearly eight years. The 41-year-old, now riding with titanium implants in her right knee, edged Austria’s Mirjam Puchner by 1.16 seconds. She trailed 0.61 seconds after the first two time checks, but surged ahead to finish with a massive lead. The race was her 125th World Cup downhill start, 24 years after her debut at Lake Louise.
Coach Partnership & Performance
Vonn’s debut with new coach Aksel Lund Svindal, the 2018 Olympic men’s downhill champion, shows the partnership paying off. The duo’s work on Corviglia’s sun‑bathed top half saw Vonn drop tenths of a second on Puchner’s time.
Race Details & Course
The Corviglia course finishes above 6,500 feet. Vonn touched 74 mph during the speed checks and posted the fastest time splits for the bottom half. After crossing the finish line she bumped into the safety barrier, lay in the snow, raised her arms, then got up, punched the air with her right fist, and shrieked before resting her hands on her left cheek.
Future Goals
Vonn is targeting a gold medal at the 2026 Milan‑Cortina Games in February, where the women’s alpine skiing will be held at the storied Cortina d’Ampezzo course. She will be favored for a downhill win on Saturday at St. Moritz.
Record & Career Highlights
Vonn has extended her record with 44 World Cup downhill victories, including a win at St. Moritz in 2012, and 83 overall World Cup race wins. Her previous win at Are came weeks after earning bronze in downhill at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games, her last Olympic appearance. She also captured gold in downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and at the 2009 World Championships in Val d’Isère.
Key Takeaways
- First World Cup downhill win in eight years, defeating Mirjam Puchner by 1.16 seconds.
- 41-year-old with titanium knee implants, aiming for 2026 Olympic gold.
- Record‑extending 44 downhill victories and 83 total World Cup wins.
Lindsey Vonn’s triumph marks a triumphant return to the slopes, setting the stage for a historic performance at the upcoming Milan‑Cortina Games.
