Lindsey Vonn achieved her fifth consecutive World Cup downhill podium finish by securing third place at the event held in Tarvisio, Italy, on January 17, 2026. The former resident of Vail, Colorado, demonstrated her strength and skill on a challenging course as she prepares for the upcoming Milano Cortina Olympics. Italian skier Nicol Delago celebrated her first career World Cup victory, completing the 845-meter track in a time of 1 minute, 46.28 seconds.
As fog rolled into the area, Vonn’s performance shone through the conditions. She finished just 0.06 seconds behind German skater Kira Weidle-Winkelmann, who took second place with a time of 1:46.22. Vonn’s third-place finish brought her total career podiums to an impressive 144.
Vonn had expressed some concerns about the course layout prior to the race, specifically noting that the long gliding sections might not play to her strengths. Those worries were confirmed during the gradual gliding segment known as Cappia, where she recorded the seventh-fastest time. Nevertheless, Vonn excelled in the steepest section of the course, the Muro Lungo, where she built significant speed, achieving a top velocity of 136.3 kilometers per hour, the fastest among all competitors.
The excitement in Tarvisio was palpable as Delago captured the attention of the home crowd with her outstanding performance. She outpaced Weidle-Winkelmann and Vonn, showcasing her skill on the slopes. Vonn, who is currently leading the downhill globe standings, is the only athlete to have reached the podium in all five women’s downhill races this season, including victories in St. Moritz and Zauchensee.
The U.S. Ski Team had a strong showing overall, with defending downhill world champion Breezy Johnson tying for sixth place alongside Laura Pirovano. Fellow American Jacqueline Wiles, who recently finished on the podium in Zauchensee, placed thirteenth. The team managed to place six athletes in the top thirty, with Allison Mollin, Haley Cutler, and Isabella Wright finishing in 19th, 23rd, and 29th positions, respectively.
Vonn’s recent success marks a significant moment in her career, as it is the first time she has achieved five straight podiums in a single discipline since the 2017-2018 season. She also ranks third in both the overall and super-G standings as the season progresses.
Tarvisio has hosted multiple World Cup downhill races, with Vonn having notable finishes in previous years. In 2009, she narrowly missed victory, finishing just 0.01 seconds behind Gina Stechert, and in 2011, she secured second place in both the super-combined and downhill events.
Looking ahead, the women’s skiing circuit will feature a super-G event on January 18, followed by two speed races in Crans Montana, Switzerland, scheduled for January 30-31. The Olympic downhill event is set to take place on February 7, 2026, adding to the anticipation of this competitive season.
