Second Round of the Adrenaline-Filled Women’s Downhill in Cortina
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Ellie Hartman
The first day of downhill was not lacking in excitement. The prime conditions and bluebird sky weather urged the women to push their lines and attack the course. However, after four racers in the top 11 crashed off the Delta Jump, the remaining athletes needed to change their tactics and ski a different line.
Stifel US Ski Team superstar Mikaela Shiffrin was one of the athletes to crash. She was able to get up after hitting the net, but she limped off the course. A helicopter brought her to a hospital nearby for evaluation.
The initial Stifel US Ski Team report stated that the first analysis showed the ACL and PCL intact in the injured left leg and will release more details as they are given. She will not be racing tomorrow, but we are hoping it is a speedy recovery.
In the last two seasons, Sofia Goggia of Italy has stood on top of the podium twice in Cortina out of the three downhill events hosted. Running bib-15, she was primed with multiple course reports, especially after her teammate Federica Brignone fell.
She still ignited out of the gate in her all-out fashion, but she lost some time in the mid and lower sections of the course that kept her from another victory. She remained on the podium and achieved a surprising three-way tie with Alpine Canada Alpin athlete Valérie Grenier and Austrian Christina Ager. Goggia aims to achieve victory tomorrow.
The awe-inspiring performances from Grenier and Ager were milestones for the two athletes. They both achieved their first downhill World Cup podiums. They will strive to achieve their second top-3 finish tomorrow.
Stephanie Venier had a thrilling day, throwing down a victorious run on the Olympia Delle Tofane track. She ran the adjusted line that she was told would be best, attacked the course aggressively, and let the skis run on the gliding sections of the course. She finished over three-tenths in front of the 2nd-place finisher, Lara Gut-Behrami. This was the Austrian’s second win and 6th podium in downhill.
These women hope to throw down again tomorrow to earn another leaderboard downhill finish.
Top Five Ranked Downhill Women for the 2023-24 Season
North Americans
The North Americans had strong showing on the first day of downhill racing in Cortina D’Ampezzo. Six out of the eight North Americans who started finished in the top 30, increasing their World Cup downhill rankings.
The fastest United States athlete of the day was Stifel US Ski Team athlete Jacqueline Wiles. Wiles finished the day in 13th place, which was her 5th top-15 finish in Cortina. She aims to break back into the top ten tomorrow.
Lauren Macuga, the last North American to race the course, came through in 16 place, which was her first top 20 downhill World Cup finish. The young athlete is on fire and is striving to keep moving up in speed rankings.
In the upcoming day, the Stifel US Ski Team and Alpine Canada’s Valérie Grenier will persist in skiing aggressively, aiming to achieve the desired finish on this demanding slope.
North American Women Who Have Earned 2023-24 World Cup Downhill Points
North Americans Entered for the Saturday, January 27th Cortina D’Ampezzo World Cup Downhill
- Bib 3, Isabella Wright, Stifel USST, Snowbird Sports Education Foundation, Atomic, Level Gloves
- Bib 22, Valérie Grenier, ACA, Club de Ski Mont Tremblant, Rossignol/LOOK, Level Gloves
- Bib 24, Lauren Macuga, Stifel USST, Park City Ski Team, Winter Sports School, Rossignol, LOOK
- Bib 26, Jacqueline Wiles, Stifel USST, White Pass Ski Club, Rossignol/LOOK
- Bib 34, Keely Cashman, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, Rossignol, LOOK
- Bib 39, Tricia Mangan, Stifel USST, HoliMont Snowsports, Dartmouth College, HEAD, Level Gloves
15 nations are being represented in the women’s race on Saturday, January 27th, Cortina D’Ampezzo downhill start list.
The Olympia Delle Tofane Track
The Olympia Delle Tofane track was the competition hill for the 1956 Winter Olympics and has hosted the Women’s World Cup event annually. The track is legendary because of its various challenging sections that make it an adrenaline-infused course.
The notoriously more challenging sections of the course include the Schuss, which is a steeper slope that gets the racers up to a max of 86 miles per hour (140 Kilometers) as they pass through two huge rock faces. Then, the athletes will take on the “Duca d’Aosta jump”, the “Delta turn” and the “Scarpadon,” which are a primary focus of the track.
About Cortina D’Ampezzo
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy is an awe-inspiring region nestled in the heart of the Italian Alps, conveniently located just two hours away from Venice. Situated in the Ampezzo valley, this charming town is encircled by stunning rock formations of the Dolomite peaks. What sets this town apart is its distinctiveness, as it proudly upholds its traditions and even boasts its own local language.
This town has a rich history intertwined with alpine ski racing. Ever since it hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956, the residents have held a deep appreciation for winter sports. They warmly welcome tourists from around the globe, inviting them to partake in the plethora of activities that this remarkable area has to offer.
The women’s downhill starts at 10:30 CET, 1:30 AM PST, 2:30 AM MST and 4:30 AM EST.
In the USA, the women’s World Cups in Cortina D’Ampezzo will be available for viewing live and as a replay on Ski and Snowboard Live streaming service.
In Canada, sports enthusiasts can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports
Start List for Saturday, January 27th, Cortina D’Ampezzo Women’s World Cup Downhill
Click on the start list and program to download
Race Program for Saturday, January 27th, Cortina D’Ampezzo Women’s World Cup Downhill
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