Austria’s Cornelia Huetter picked up the World Cup speed season right where she left it in March, taking the first Stifel Birds of Prey women’s downhill in convincing fashion with a time of 1:32.38. The 32-year-old, who won the final downhill last season in Saalbach, Austria, was joined on the podium by Italy’s Sofia Goggia, who was .16 seconds back, and Swiss ace Lara Gut-Behrami, who was .34 seconds behind the winner. It was Huetter’s second career World Cup victory.
American Lauren Macuga, 22, followed a week of strong training results with an impressive fourth-place finish — her best ever — .52 behind Huetter. Two additional Americans finished in the points — Breezy Johnson at 13th, and Jacqueline Wiles at 29th — which are given to the first 30 finishers toward the overall World Cup and downhill discipline standings.
Saturday’s race marked the first time women have competed in downhill on the famous Birds of Prey course, long known as one of the top tracks in the world for men’s racing. “It was my top result (ever) on a World Cup, and it’s at home. I couldn’t have asked for better,” said Macuga, who was the top American across all three training runs leading up to Saturday’s race. “I was very jittery, very excited. I had to tone down the excitement to focus on my training runs. But it gave me the confidence to know I can do it.”
Under cloudless skies, the field of 45 racers tackled a course well known for its challenges. Some women consulted with their current and former male teammates for suggestions on what tactics to use at key points on the course to put them into a winning position.
“It’s such an honor to be in the first position,” said Huetter, who collected the downhill crystal globe last season, with 397 points to Gut-Behrami’s 369. “I really enjoyed it and I’m satisfied with my race today.”
It has taken close to 10 years of negotiations for a women’s race to get the go-ahead at Beaver Creek from the International Ski Federation (FIS) and other entities.
“I think it’s one step forward in general on the women’s side,” said Huetter. “There were some critical comments ‘oh, it’s just a men’s race,’ and for sure that was a little upsetting… It’s steep and it’s the same speed as on the men’s side, and we skied really solid. Everyone was skiing so nice. I think it’s one good step forward, and I think we showed the whole world we can race the Birds of Prey.”
Macuga had the highest speed of the day at the fourth interval point at 130.97 kph (81.38 mph). Huetter averaged 92.32 kph (56.37 mph) through four speed checkpoints.
Italy’s Goggia is returning to competition after breaking bones in her right leg in February, ending her 2023-24 season prematurely. She was seeking her 19th career World Cup victory.
“It feels like it’s not a comeback race. This is my job and my passion,” said Goggia, 32. “Today, I felt like I never left for the injury. It would have been so perfect to win today, but I wasn’t so perfect in the bottom (part of the course). I had a good race, but I think I skied at about 80 percent of my potential.”
As for the other Americans, Keely Cashman finished 31st, Bella Wright was 35th, Tricia Mangan came in 39th and Haley Cutler finished 45th in her first ever World Cup start. Three-time Olympic medalist Lindsey Vonn, who is in the process of making a comeback to World Cup skiing, was a forerunner for the race.
Racing continues Sunday with the women’s super G, which will close out a whirlwind two weeks of ski racing in Beaver Creek, with five World Cup events across both genders and three disciplines. More information about the event can be found at bcworldcup.com.
RESULTS
Women’s Downhill
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