“`html
BEAVER CREEK, Colo. — Italian ski racer Sofia Goggia expertly navigated the challenging Birds of Prey course to secure victory in the women’s super-G event on Sunday.
Her achievement was notably aided by her good friend and fellow Red Bull athlete, Lindsey Vonn, who, despite not competing that day, took on the role of a forerunner to test the course for the racers.
Vonn provided a valuable course report to Goggia and her American teammates from the top of the hill.
Goggia leveraged Vonn’s insights and completed the course in 1 minute, 3.90 seconds, successfully fending off the challenge from Swiss competitor Lara Gut-Behrami, who finished 0.48 seconds behind.
Ariane Raedler from Austria, who started at bib No. 20, surprised many by claiming third place.
“(Vonn) gave me tips and advice,” Goggia stated, reflecting on the performance.
“I found what she said to be crucial. She was absolutely right.”
To mark her victory, Goggia broke into a playful dance at the finish area, attempting to imitate the samba moves showcased by Brazilian skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen after his second-place finish in a giant slalom race earlier in Beaver Creek.
“It was a terrible imitation,” Goggia remarked with a chuckle.
Goggia had a feeling she would perform well the day prior when she received a video detailing the super-G setup, which aligned perfectly with her racing style.
“I thought this could be my race,” said the 32-year-old Goggia, marking her 25th win in the World Cup.
“However, there’s a significant difference between thinking about it and executing it.”
Goggia made sure to practice her run carefully, particularly through the first five gates, before unleashing her full speed.
Her comeback narrative has been an inspiring one, as Goggia has been recovering from a training accident last February that resulted in two fractured bones in her right leg.
After being fitted with a screw and plate that caused her discomfort, she even contemplated retirement over the summer.
In September, she had the hardware removed, leading to a newfound sense of freedom.
“I felt liberated both physically and mentally,” Goggia expressed.
“I’m so thankful to be crossing the start gate and feeling the speed again—this is truly the best sensation.”
Additionally, Cornelia Huetter from Austria made headlines the previous day by clinching the first-ever women’s World Cup downhill race held at the Birds of Prey course.
She finished fourth in the super-G, narrowly missing the podium as her teammate Raedler succeeded in claiming a spot for only the second time in her career.
Gut-Behrami’s weekend was fruitful, earning her podium finishes, including third in the downhill event.
Meanwhile, the top-racing American participant was Lauren Macuga, who finished 12th in the super-G after placing fourth in the downhill the day before.
Looking ahead, Vonn is preparing for her upcoming race, which will be her first World Cup event in nearly six years.
She is set to compete in a pair of World Cup super-G events next weekend in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
“I could definitely feel it today, thinking, ‘Alright, I have a race coming up next week,’” Vonn shared, reflecting on her competitive mindset.
“I’m fully focused and in the zone.”
“`