In a performance that stunned the skiing world, American legend Lindsey Vonn roared back to the top of the podium on Friday, winning the season-opening women’s downhill at St. Moritz by a massive 0.98 seconds. At 41 years old, Vonn shattered records to become the oldest skier – male or female – ever to win a World Cup race, surpassing the previous mark held by Switzerland’s Didier Cuche.
Vonn clocked a blazing time of 1:29.63, leaving Austria’s Magdalena Egger in second and Mirjam Puchner in third. This marks her 83rd career World Cup victory and her first since March 2018, capping an extraordinary comeback after nearly six years in retirement and a partial knee replacement.
“I knew I was skiing fast, but you never know until the first race,” an emotional Vonn said after the win. “This means so much to me.”
The victory sets the tone for Vonn’s Olympic season, with her sights set on the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games.
