American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has once again defied age and expectation, securing a stunning downhill victory in Zauchensee, Austria, to solidify her position as the clear favourite for next month's Winter Olympics.
Historic Victory on a Shortened Course
The 41-year-old veteran, already the oldest World Cup winner in history, clocked a winning time of 1:06.24 on a cold, snowy morning. She finished 0.37 seconds ahead of Norway's Kajsa Vickhoff Lie, with fellow American Jacqueline Wiles completing the podium a further 0.11 seconds back.
The race was run on a significantly shortened piste after heavy snowfall forced the cancellation of Friday's training. Vonn, starting with bib number six, admitted she thought she had little chance due to the fresh snow. "I had to risk a lot with my line," she told TNT Sports. "I executed my plan really well... I just swung really hard." Her gamble and experience paid off handsomely, marking her 84th career World Cup win and her fourth podium from four downhill races this season.
Drama on the Slopes as Rivals Face Mixed Fortunes
The event was not without incident. Austrian hope Magdalena Egger, who finished second to Vonn in St Moritz last month, suffered a nasty crash. After losing balance and becoming tangled in the side netting, she was taken to hospital by helicopter with a bloodied nose, causing a 25-minute race interruption.
In more positive news, reigning Olympic champion Corinne Suter of Switzerland made her return from a month-long injury absence, though she finished outside the top 20. Switzerland's Janine Schmitt capitalised on the conditions to achieve a career-best fifth place.
Clear Path to the Crystal Globe and Beyond
This latest triumph extends Vonn's lead in the World Cup downhill standings to 129 points over Germany's Emma Aicher. With her remarkable form following knee surgery and a return to competition in 2024, Vonn now looks poised to claim the season's downhill crystal globe.
Barring any unforeseen drama, this victory likely extends her career beyond the Olympics to the season-ending finals. The American, who also sits sixth in the overall World Cup standings, will be back in action on Sunday for a super-G on the same Austrian slope, as she continues to build momentum towards the ultimate prize in Beijing.
