Imagine a seasoned legend of U.S. alpine skiing making a bold statement: Lindsey Vonn, renowned for her speed and skill, confidently declares her mastery of ski racing. And this is the part most people miss—her recent performance seems to support her claim. During the first downhill training run on the Corviglia course in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Vonn clocked an impressive time of 1:30.95 on Wednesday, December 10th, setting the pace ahead of the upcoming World Cup speed events scheduled from December 12th to 14th.
For those unfamiliar, training runs like these don’t count towards qualifying; instead, they serve as crucial opportunities for athletes to familiarize themselves with the course, assess snow conditions, and fine-tune their equipment. While skiers often ease off near the finish line to conserve energy, posting a strong time here can serve as a valuable confidence booster just before the real competition begins.
Vonn’s dominant performance placed her ahead of Norway’s Kajsa Vickhoff Lie, who finished just 0.59 seconds behind, as well as two-time Olympic medalist Sofia Goggia, who tied for third with France’s Laura Gauche, both 0.71 seconds back.
But here’s where it gets interesting—when the starting gate drops on Friday, December 12th, the real challenge begins. This is when athletes are finally tested against each other on the course, each trying to carve out their spot on the increasingly competitive path toward the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina. With her history and current form, Vonn is clearly eyeing more than just participation—she’s gunning for medals.
And speaking of confidence, Vonn recently shared her ambitions for Milano Cortina 2026, hinting at her high aspirations and hinting that her sights are firmly set on the podium. Do you think her seasoned experience and current form make her a favorite, or do you believe rising stars will outpace her this season? Share your thoughts below—this season’s story is just beginning.
