UPDATE: Lindsey Vonn has just secured her second World Cup downhill victory of the season in Zauchensee, Austria, marking a stunning return to the slopes. Vonn’s remarkable performance on January 10, 2026, saw her dominate the course with a time of 1 minute, 6.24 seconds, reinforcing her status as a skiing legend.
This victory is a critical milestone in Vonn’s comeback campaign after stepping away from the sport in 2019. “I felt like I was skiing better in super-G this summer, but everything was working really well right from the start,” she stated in an NBC interview post-race. Vonn’s confidence and experience proved essential on the shortened Kälberloch slope, where she expertly navigated all 27 gates.
Norway’s Kajsa Vickhoff Lie finished 0.37 seconds behind, while American Jacqueline Wiles secured third place, marking her fourth career podium finish. Snowfall limited training runs to just one, forcing athletes to adapt quickly. Vonn reflected on her challenging training conditions, saying, “It was tough… I was almost last because it was so windy.”
Despite her 414th World Cup start, Vonn faced early challenges, recording only the eighth-fastest split at the first interval. However, she gained speed with each turn, ultimately delivering the fastest final segment. “I had to give it everything I had,” Vonn affirmed, highlighting her determination and willingness to take risks.
This victory places Vonn just two wins shy of tying the all-time record held by Ingemar Stenmark, and she remains the leader in downhill wins with a total of 45. Vonn now holds the red downhill cup leader’s bib with 340 points, ahead of competitors Emma Aicher (211 points) and Laura Pirovano (167 points).
The four-time Olympian’s resilience and skill are on full display as she continues to compete at an elite level. “I knew with all the new snow, the outside track was going to be slow,” she noted, emphasizing her ability to adapt under pressure.
As the speed weekend progresses, all eyes will be on Vonn as she prepares for the upcoming super-G event on Sunday. With her sights set on further achievements, fans and supporters are eager to witness the next chapter in her extraordinary career.
Stay tuned for more updates on Vonn’s journey and the thrilling developments in the World Cup series.
