In an unforgettable moment for Italian alpine skiing, Nicol Delago etched her name into the history books on Saturday, January 17, 2026, storming to her maiden Audi FIS Ski World Cup victory in the women’s downhill on the iconic Di Prampero course in Tarvisio, Italy.
The 30-year-old from Bressanone thrilled the roaring home crowd, holding off a fierce challenge to secure her breakthrough win after five previous podium finishes (four in downhill and one in super-G). Delago’s flawless run proved untouchable, finishing 0.20 seconds ahead of Germany’s Kira Weidle-Winkelmann in second and 0.26 seconds clear of the legendary Lindsey Vonn 🇺🇸 in third.
Here are the stunning images capturing the emotion of the day:
The race, marking the return of women’s World Cup downhill to Tarvisio after a 15-year hiatus, unfolded under challenging conditions with fog affecting visibility in the mid-section. Yet Delago, who had topped the final training run the day before, navigated the nearly 4 km track with precision and aggression, delivering a performance that sent the Italian fans into ecstasy.
This triumph comes at the perfect time — just weeks before the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics — boosting Delago’s confidence and adding momentum to the host nation’s ski team. Her younger sister, Nadia Delago (2022 Olympic downhill bronze medalist), finished 10th, rounding out a strong day for the family.
Meanwhile, Lindsey Vonn continued her remarkable comeback season, claiming her fifth podium in as many downhills this year. The 41-year-old American icon, a two-time winner already in 2025/26, showed her enduring speed and experience on a course she knows well from years past.
Here’s Vonn celebrating her podium finish:
Vonn wins second downhill World Cup downhill race of her season …
With the super-G scheduled for Sunday, January 18, the excitement in the Julian Alps shows no sign of slowing down. Delago’s victory is more than just a win — it’s a statement of Italian skiing’s rising power ahead of the home Olympics.
Congratulations to Nicol Delago on this magical milestone! 🇮🇹🏆⛷️
