Federica Brignone Wins World Cup Downhill in Austria

In a thrilling World Cup downhill race at St. Anton, Austria, Italy's Federica Brignone secured her first downhill victory, marking her 30th career World Cup win with a time of 1:16.08. Swiss rookie Malorie Blanc impressively finished just 0.07 seconds behind in her first World Cup podium appearance, while Czech skier Ester Ledecka took third, 0.18 seconds off the lead. Lindsey Vonn, the most decorated female skier, made a notable comeback, finishing sixth in her first downhill race in nearly six years after a series of injuries and a knee replacement. Brignone's victory is particularly significant as she had never won a World Cup downhill prior to this race. The competition saw several skiers struggle, with notable DNFs, including Olympic champion Sofia Goggia. The event highlighted the resilience and talent across generations, as Brignone, Vonn, and Blanc showcased their skills in a sun-soaked race.