Austria’s Cornelia Hütter delivered a masterclass on the demanding Oreiller-Killy (OK) course, blazing to victory in the women’s FIS Alpine Ski World Cup downhill with a flawless time of 1:41.54. The defending downhill crystal globe holder secured her 10th career World Cup win and her first of the 2025/26 season, edging out Germany’s Kira Weidle-Winkelmann by 0.26 seconds for silver.
But the spotlight shone brightest on American icon Lindsey Vonn, who charged to third place (+0.35 seconds) in her sensational comeback season. The 41-year-old Olympic champion, racing in Val d’Isère for the first time in eight years, notched her third podium in four races this winter – extending her lead in the downhill standings to 240 points.
Vonn looked poised for a record-extending eighth Val d’Isère victory early on, but a costly mistake in the lower section due to tricky flat light derailed her charge. “I lost my balance and it cost me half a second or more,” Vonn admitted post-race. “But I’m happy to hang onto the podium and the red bib.”
Hütter, starting just after Vonn, unleashed a blistering final sector to seal the triumph, hitting speeds up to 126 kph. “Today I just went full speed and pushed everything,” the Austrian said with a grin.
The action continues Sunday with the super-G in Val d’Isère, where Vonn will aim to keep her hot streak alive ahead of the holiday break.
Podium:
🥇 Cornelia Hütter (AUT) – 1:41.54
🥈 Kira Weidle-Winkelmann (GER) – +0.26
🥉 Lindsey Vonn (USA) – +0.35
