But even Vonn, the greatest speed skier of all time, had to give way to Macuga on a challenging day down the iconic Karl Schranz track.
With the top seeds and early starters struggling with the flat light, Macuga (17th out the gate) and Venier (15th out) got fortunate with the sun making a brief appearance. But it was the Park City resident who made the most of it.
Macuga recorded her first top-10 just under a year ago and has been building steadily since, with a best Super G result of fifth in Kvitfjell in March 2024 and a fourth place in Downhill in Beaver Creek in December. A day after ending ninth in the Downhill, the USA youngster was swift out the gate and clean throughout, flying through St. Anton’s famous Ice Fall pitch as she hit speeds of more than 116kmph.
“I still don’t know what happened,” Macuga said with a laugh. “It felt like I was pushing it but I kept getting pushed late, getting low in the line but I think that actually helped me to be clean and really go into it.
“It was difficult, it was bumpy the whole way down but I lucked out with the light. The sun came out a little bit for me and I just took advantage of that and sent it.
“I didn’t think it would be a winning run. I knew it was going to be good but I guess it was.”
Swiss
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