The Italian ski team is performing exceptionally well as they approach the upcoming home Olympics in less than three weeks. Lindsey Vonn, aged 41, continues to impress with her consistent podium finishes.
Recently, Nicol Delago secured her first World Cup victory in a downhill event on home turf in Tarvisio, Italy. Vonn also had a strong performance, finishing in third place, marking her fifth podium finish in five downhill races this season. Val Grenier from St. Isidore, Ont., was the highest-ranking Canadian, finishing in 39th place.
Delago’s victory matched her Italian teammate Giovanni Franzoni’s recent success in a super-G event in Wengen, Switzerland. The Milan Cortina Winter Games are set to commence on Feb. 6, with women competing in Cortina d’Ampezzo and men in Bormio.
During the race, Delago outpaced Kira Weidle-Winkelmann of Germany by 0.20 seconds and Vonn by 0.26 seconds. Delago’s prior best finishes included three second-place and two third-place results. Her younger sister, Nadia, who won the bronze medal in downhill at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, finished in 10th place in the same event.
It had been 15 years since the last World Cup downhill in Tarvisio, and Vonn was one of only two current athletes who had previously raced on the course. Vonn reflected on the positive memories of the venue and the support she received from fans. Despite the challenging conditions, she expressed her joy at returning to the podium.
In the downhill standings, Vonn extended her lead to 144 points over Emma Aicher of Germany, with four more races remaining this season. Vonn also climbed to third place in the overall standings with 510 points, trailing behind Mikaela Shiffrin (923 points) and Camille Rast (753), who are not currently participating in downhill events.
The race was affected by fog, reducing visibility along the course. Delago faced a moment of potential loss of control in the foggy section but managed to regain composure and secure her victory. Vonn showcased impressive speed but encountered challenges navigating fresh snow, which slowed her down.
The upcoming Olympic downhill event in Cortina is scheduled for Feb. 8, followed by a super-G event in Tarvisio on Sunday.