The Women’s Super-G World Cup held at La Thuile, Italy, on March 14, 2025, marked the return of this exhilarating event to the venue for the first time in five years. The race unfolded on the challenging "Number 3 Franco Berthod" slope, named after the renowned former Italian alpine skier who not only competed fiercely during the 1960s but also significantly contributed to the establishment of La Thuile as a notable World Cup venue.
The contest proved to be thrilling as Germany's Emma Aicher clinched her first Super-G victory, timing 57.89 seconds, which was exceptional for the day’s conditions. Italy's Sofia Goggia finished just behind Aicher, coming in second place with only 0.06 seconds separating them, followed closely by her compatriot Federica Brignone who took the third spot, finishing 0.39 seconds behind Aicher’s time.
Italy’s Laura Pirovano kicked off the race, being the first competitor down the course, and setting the early benchmark with her time of 59.74 seconds. Following her, Austria’s Ariane Rädler managed to surge past Pirovano, taking the lead with a nearly full-second advantage. But then it was Aicher, running with bib number three, who delivered a dominant performance. Her clean and aggressive skiing effortlessly allowed her to eclipse Rädler's time, effectively transforming the competition at La Thuile.
With confidence built from her prior successes, including winning her maiden World Cup downhill at Kvitfjell just days earlier, Aicher showcased tremendous skill on the course characterized by steep terrain and technical sections notorious for challenging even the most seasoned skiers. After the race, she reflected on her achievement, saying, “I had a pretty good feeling; I knew there weren’t any really hard things on the course.”
Sofia Goggia, who is well-known for her fierce competitive spirit, exhibited her typical aggressive style during her run, momentarily taking the lead mid-race. Unfortunately for her, she lost speed in the final stretch, resulting in her finishing just slightly behind Aicher. Goggia expressed her excitement about skiing on home turf, stating, “It feels always special to race on home soil.”
Brignone, another major Italian talent and local favorite who hails from nearby, had her own ups and downs during the race. Although she had dreams of claiming victory before her home crowd, she faced difficulties, including hitting gates, which cost her precious seconds on the clock. Afterward, she noted, “It was hard to be so focused as always. It was not easy; the snow doesn’t respond as you want.”
For Team USA, the day was also noteworthy, with 20-year-old Lauren Macuga managing to snag fifth place. Sporting bib number nine, Macuga delivered what she described as her best run. “I mean, it’s never a fair race, but it definitely got slower today, and so watching others was tough. I’m super stoked about fifth place,” she commented post-race.
Breezy Johnson’s performance, finishing at 27th, added to Team USA's strong presence, even though many of her teammates fell out of the scoring positions, with Keely Cashman, Jackie Wiles, and Allison Mollin finishing 37th, 39th, and 41st, respectively.
Meanwhile, 40-year-old Lindsey Vonn, who has made her return to competitive skiing after almost six years, encountered tough luck and recorded a Did Not Finish (DNF) after hooking a gate during her run. Following her incident, she showcased her resilience by getting up unaided, though it was clear the frustration was palpable.
Aicher’s victory at La Thuile marks Germany’s first women’s Super-G win since March 2019, when Viktoria Rebensburg triumphed at Soldeu. With this victory under her belt, Aicher is set to be one to watch, showing promise and depth across skiing disciplines. “It’s what I work for every day, so it’s nice to see it paying off,” she stated, indicating her disbelief at how quickly she’s been able to improve.
The women will now quickly shift their attention as they prepare for the final Super-G race of the regular World Cup season, set to take place again on the same piste on Friday. This upcoming race promises to maintain the intensity of the current competition and may play a pivotal role not only for individual rankings but also for the coveted Super-G Crystal Globe.
Fans of alpine skiing have much to look forward to as Aicher, Goggia, Brignone, and their competitors aim to close the season on high notes, pushing their limits on the slopes, and captivating audiences worldwide.