Cornelia Huetter claimed her second World Cup downhill victory of the 2024/25 season on Friday, February 28, during the first speed event of the weekend at Kvitfjell, Norway. The 32-year-old Austrian alpine skier secured another win on the Lillehammer 1994 Olympic track, where she had previously triumphed in the Super G two years ago.
Starting with bib No. 9, Huetter overtook overall and downhill leader Federica Brignone and managed to hold off world champion Breezy Johnson, who finished third, just 0.40 seconds behind. Huetter’s achievement came under the shadow of Germany’s Emma Aicher, whose impressive run as the 27th starter saw her finish only 0.15 seconds behind, earning her first-ever World Cup podium.
"It was really tough two weeks ago," said Huetter to FIS, reflecting on her emotional state after placing fourth at the home World Championships in Saalbach. "It was a lot about finding my mindset, my feelings again. I think what makes me fast in skiing is my feeling and my smooth lines. I missed all of those last month, so it's nice to have those feelings back. At the start, I had the right mindset—what I needed to go fast. It was not easy, but it's nice to be fast again!"
Huetter’s victory was particularly sweet considering the struggles she faced prior to this event. Her earlier season wins included downhill at Beaver Creek, Colorado, and Super-G at St. Moritz, making this her third victory this winter. Her history at Kvitfjell was favorable, with past victories adding to her confidence on the course.
Among Huetter's challenges during the competition was the performance of her fellow competitors. Breezy Johnson has been waiting for her maiden World Cup victory, and after finishing third, she remains eager for the win. Johnson, who experienced the fastest training times on Friday, quickly expressed her surprise at her results, sharing, "I definitely risked a lot during the race. I was a little surprised with the results. I had a couple of mistakes in the middle."
Another notable competitor, Lindsey Vonn, returned after several years of absence and finished 13th with a time of +1.15 seconds behind Huetter. “Experimenting every day with my equipment and I think I’m making progress,” Vonn commented afterward, determined to continue improving as she juggles her comeback at the age of 40 with new challenges and technology.
Huetter’s win positioned her just 26 points behind discipline leader Federica Brignone, who finished fifth. A heated race for the discipline title is set as the circuit enters its final stretch with three races remaining. Brignone leads the standings with 334 points, followed closely by her teammate Sofia Goggia at 310 points and Huetter at 308 points.
“The tension is palpable as the season draws to its conclusion,” commentators noted, enthusiastically anticipating the second downhill race on Saturday followed by the Super-G event on Sunday. This weekend serves as not just another venue, but also as another chance for female alpine skiers to showcase their skills on the legendary Kvitfjell slopes.
While the competition heats up, the atmosphere around the sport remains vibrant with enthusiasm for the athletes participating. The women’s downhill has become increasingly competitive, with skiers like Huetter setting the pace and raising the stakes for their competitors.
With Huetter’s victory, the battle for the overall championship is wide open. The next downhill scheduled for Saturday will be closely watched, as will the outcomes of all athletes involved. For Huetter, this win carries weight not just as another trophy, but as confirmation of her dominant prowess on the alpine skiing circuit.