Lindsey Vonn Claims Seventh Podium Finish Ahead of Olympics

In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Lindsey Vonn secured her seventh podium finish in eight races this season on the World Cup speed circuit. Competing in difficult visibility conditions in Tarvisio, Italy, Vonn achieved second place in the super-G event, solidifying her status as a leading contender for medals at the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

Vonn’s consistency is unmatched, as no other skier has more than three podium finishes in speed events this season. Her only result outside the top three has been a fourth-place finish, showcasing her dominance in the sport at the age of 41. In contrast, Mikaela Shiffrin, who has seven podiums in 14 technical races, has not exhibited the same level of consistency across all events.

Vonn’s Performance and Challenges

Vonn was narrowly defeated by Emma Aicher, a 19-year-old from Germany, who finished 0.27 seconds ahead. This victory marked Aicher’s second win of the season. Former Olympic champion Ester Ledecka followed in third place, finishing 0.94 seconds behind Vonn. Reflecting on her performance, Vonn stated, “It was tough conditions with the visibility, but I’m really happy to be on the podium again. Of course, I’m close to another win, but it is what it is. I think I’ll save the hundredths for Cortina.”

The challenging weather conditions, particularly fog in the upper section of the course, made navigation difficult. Vonn led at every checkpoint but lost crucial time in the final gates. Aicher’s victory is her fourth career win, having previously claimed two downhill victories and another super-G. Notably, Aicher competes in all four skiing disciplines, a rarity in the sport.

In a concerning moment during the race, Alice Robinson of New Zealand, who has won two giant slalom events and a super-G this season, crashed into the final gate. Fortunately, she quickly regained her feet and appeared to avoid serious injury, though she seemed visibly shaken.

Upcoming Races and Team News

The women’s circuit continues in Italy with the Kronplatz giant slalom scheduled for Tuesday. There is only one remaining set of speed races before the Olympics, taking place in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on January 30-31, 2026. In a significant update for the Italian team, Federica Brignone, the defending overall World Cup champion, has been announced as returning to the squad for the Kronplatz race. This will mark her first competition since breaking multiple bones in her left leg in April 2023. The team confirmed that Brignone would make a final decision after testing the course on Monday.

As the Olympic Games approach, Vonn’s consistent performances position her as a strong medal contender in both downhill and super-G events. With the competition heating up, all eyes will be on her and her peers as they prepare for the challenges ahead.