In a performance that silenced doubters and electrified the alpine skiing world, American legend Lindsey Vonn stormed to victory in the women’s downhill at the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in St. Moritz on Friday, marking her first win since March 2018 and her 83rd career World Cup triumph.
At 41 years old, Vonn not only delivered a dominant display on the demanding Swiss course but also etched her name in the record books as the oldest winner of a World Cup race, surpassing the previous mark held by Swiss skier Didier Cuche.
Starting with bib 16 (or 17 in some reports), Vonn trailed early leaders through the initial sectors but unleashed her signature aggression in the middle and lower sections, mastering jumps like the Romingersprung and clocking the fastest time of 1:29.63 – the only racer under 1:30. She finished 0.98 seconds ahead of the field, a margin that underscored her commanding run.
Austria’s Magdalena Egger claimed second place at +0.98 seconds, securing her first-ever World Cup podium in a breakthrough performance. Mirjam Puchner, also from Austria and the 2025 world silver medalist, rounded out the podium in third at +1.16 seconds after briefly holding the lead.
Vonn’s emotional celebration at the finish line – including NBA star Stephen Curry’s iconic “night-night” gesture – captured the joy of a comeback that began nearly a year ago on the very same St. Moritz slope. After retiring in 2019 following a career plagued by injuries, Vonn returned last season with a partially replaced titanium knee, posting several top-10 finishes and a silver medal in super-G at the World Cup finals.
This victory, her 44th in downhill, serves as a powerful statement ahead of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics, where Vonn aims to add to her 2010 downhill gold. Teaming up with retired Norwegian champion Aksel Lund Svindal for coaching this season, she has emphasized feeling pain-free and fully confident for the first time in years.
The St. Moritz weekend continues with another downhill on Saturday and a super-G on Sunday, offering Vonn further opportunities to build momentum in the speed disciplines she has long dominated.
Vonn’s remarkable return reaffirms her status as one of skiing’s all-time greats, inspiring a new generation while proving age is no barrier to excellence on the world’s toughest slopes.
