Downhill victory for Shiffrin in St. Moritz, Hütter fourth

In fourth place, Cornelia Hütter missed her second podium finish by eleven hundredths of a second; victory in the demolition race went to Mikaela Shiffrin. The American relegated Italy’s speed queen Sofia Goggia (+0.15 seconds) and her compatriot Federica Brignone (+0.17) to second and third place in the first downhill run of the season.

The Austrians Mirjam Puchner in fifth (+0.39) and Stephanie Venier in seventh (+0.58) behind the German surprise Emma Aicher (+0.43) also showed in the second of three speed races this weekend. Ariane Rädler came 16th, Christina Ager (21st) could not confirm her training impressions. Nina Ortlieb was missing. The vice world champion from Vorarlberg broke her lower leg the day before before the Super-G.

• More on the topic: Nina Ortlieb suffered a broken tibia and fibula in a fall

Race canceled for safety reasons

Elisabeth Reisinger (start number 31) had to be treated on the slopes after a fall. After a long break in racing, the race was stopped for safety reasons after 35 drivers due to poor visibility. The result was evaluated in accordance with the rules.

Hütter initially opened up over six tenths, but increased again as he progressed. “If you cross the finish line in fourth place, you’re obviously disappointed. But then I had to be happy because it’s simply a good result,” said the Styrian the day after her second place in the Super-G. “I knew I didn’t drive three corners mercilessly at the limit.” With the best time in the fourth sector, she made it even more exciting at the finish.

Great start to the season for Hütter

The bottom line is that Austria’s speed prima donna is off to a top start to the season. “It’s just casual, the basic speed is right. The stuff underneath me is quiet. You can see that the line we’ve taken is right. You get stronger and it makes skiing fun,” said Hütter.

Shiffrin extended her lead in the overall World Cup with her first downhill victory since March 2022. Petra Vlhova skipped the race, Lara Gut-Behrami missed the top ten. The new runner-up is the two-time season winner Brignone, who also made it into the top six in her sixth outing.

91st World Cup victory for Shiffrin

“It went as I had hoped,” remarked Shiffrin after her fourth victory in the Downhill World Cup, the 91st of her dazzling career. “Many women become much faster on race day. After training, I wasn’t sure whether everything would stay the same. I’m really very satisfied,” explained the runner-up in the final training.

The bad weather passed overnight and the luxury ski resort shone with impeccable weather on Saturday. Shiffrin showed off her class in the technical middle section. Puchner couldn’t keep up with this top sector time (+0.71), but was one of the fastest thanks to her gliding skills up and down.

“I thought too much and slowed down in this passage,” said the Salzburg player about her middle section. “It was significantly better than yesterday. It’s suitable for the first downhill race.” She always saw room for improvement. “It’s not bad, but I know I can absolutely do better.”