The Di Prampero slope came alive under the floodlights and thick evening mist tonight, delivering pure alpine magic as Italy’s Nicol Delago claimed her maiden World Cup downhill victory in front of an ecstatic home crowd.
In a race shrouded by dense fog that turned the iconic Julian Alps course into a mysterious, high-stakes challenge, Delago mastered the conditions to stop the clock at 1:46.28. Germany’s Kira Weidle-Winkelmann took silver, 0.20 seconds back, while the unstoppable Lindsey Vonn powered to bronze (+0.26) — her fifth consecutive downhill podium this season.
The atmosphere in Tarvisio was nothing short of enchanting. After a 15-year absence from the World Cup calendar, the return of women’s speed events here felt like a long-awaited celebration. Fans lined the course, their cheers piercing the fog, creating an unforgettable energy that athletes and spectators alike described as truly special.
Here are some stunning captures from the magical night on the Di Prampero slope:
The victory was extra sweet for the Delago family — Nicol’s sister Nadia, the 2022 Olympic downhill bronze medalist, finished a strong 10th, and the siblings shared an emotional embrace at the finish. For Nicol, who had previously collected three seconds and two thirds in her career, this breakthrough on home snow just weeks before the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics felt destined.
Meanwhile, 41-year-old legend Lindsey Vonn continued her fairy-tale comeback. Despite veering into fresh snow mid-course after hitting the field’s top speed of 136.3 km/h, the American recovered brilliantly to extend her downhill standings lead to 144 points. Vonn, who last raced here in 2011 (notching wins and podiums across disciplines), praised the electric fan support: “It’s so fun to race when there are so many excited people.”
Here, Nicol Delago celebrates her historic win amid the glowing Italian night:
The Tarvisio weekend isn’t over yet — a super-G awaits on Sunday, promising more thrills on the demanding Di Prampero. With the Olympics looming and momentum building, tonight’s foggy masterpiece reminded everyone why alpine skiing under the stars in the Italian Alps is pure magic. ✨⛷️🇮🇹
