We were watching her skiing, we were waiting to see what she had to offer five and a half years after her return and after 40 springs, Lindsey Vonn obviously did not play for victory but her 14th place was a little more than a second (1”18) from the winner of the day, Cornelia Huetter, is what we can call a successful comeback.
We were expecting Lara Gut-Behrami or Sofia Goggia but the queen of Saint-Moritz this Saturday was Cornelia Huetter. Winner of the Beaver Creek descent last weekend, the Austrian once again put everyone in agreement by making the difference at the bottom of the course, perfectly managing the rare key gates of a fairly direct. Huetter is ahead of the Swiss (+ 0''18) and the Italian (+ 0''33) to claim the 8th victory of her career in the World Cup. In the tone in terms of time, Lara Gauche and Romane Miradoli unfortunately did not finish.
Huetter's big 8
When Lara Gut-Behrami saw red when Sofia Goggia crossed the line, the Swiss probably thought that a 4th victory here in St. Moritz was looming. It must be said that she had once again completed a very high level Super-G, carving each curve in a wall that she knows by heart. And despite a small fault on the bottom, it seemed like it could be enough. But not against this Cornelia Huetter… Sparkling since last year (winner of the downhill globe, 3rd in the Super-G), the Austrian confirmed that she had definitely reached a milestone.
Cornelia Huetter during the World Cup downhill in Beaver Creek, December 14, 2024
Credit: Getty Images
A little behind at the top, logically less precise at the entrance to the wall than the giantist Lara Gut-Behrami, the winner of Beaver Creek was able to relax at the exit, perfectly managing the route drawn by the coach French to take crazy speed on the bottom. Taking advantage of her sliding qualities, the Austrian stuck 36 and 43 hundredths behind Gut-Behrami and Goggia respectively to reverse the trend and claim an 8th career victory. A success which promises a big fight for the race for the small globe (Goggia and Gut-Behrami are at 160pts, Huetter at 150) and overall (2nd at 37pts from the leader Rast). Still as comfortable in Saint-Moritz, the Italians were excellent and achieved a nice group shot (3rd, 4th with Curtoni, 5th with Brignon and 7th with Pirovano).
Top 15 entry for Vonn
But all the attention of this Super-G was on Lindsey Vonn, returning to the World Cup after almost six years of absence. And everyone wondered if the American was capable of playing leading roles upon her return, despite her past injuries. Well the answer was yes. Despite a completely failed and logically hesitant launch into action after so many days without competition (+ 0''52 in the 1st inter), the 40-year-old American with 82 successes gradually relaxed, letting go of her skis and finding this fluid and precise style. Very solid in the wall and in the final portion, Vonn finished with a sublime 14th place (+ 1''18), ahead of Lie (16th) or Stuhec (18th). Completely crazy.
Lindsey Vonn
Credit: Getty Images
The French women missed out on their Super-G, at least in the result. If Karen Clement missed her race (24th, + 2''43), Laura Gauche came out at the bottom while she had an interesting race. The results are even more frustrating for Romane Miradoli. Impressive in the entry, very close to the line, the Frenchwoman was quite simply in the race for the podium and ahead of Huetter at the last score, before going out, trapped by a movement in the ground. A big frustration that she will have the opportunity to erase on Sunday, with a second Super-G. And a first top 10, already, for Lindsey Vonn?
