Austrian skier Stephanie Venier clinched gold at the women's Super-G at the Alpine skiing world championships on February 6, 2025, held at the renowned Zwölferkogel track in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria. Venier, delivering a stunning performance, finished with a time of 1:20.47, positioning herself just 0.10 seconds ahead of Italy's Federica Brignone, who took home the silver medal. Sharing the bronze medal were Lauren Macuga of the United States and Norway's Kajsa Vickhoff Lie, who both completed their runs 0.24 seconds behind Venier.
This victory marks Venier's first world championship gold and is especially significant as she becomes the oldest woman to win the Super-G title, making her triumph all the more poignant. Venier, who previously only had one medal at the senior level—a silver from the 2017 championships—expressed her amazement at the outcome. "I don’t know what to say. I'm speechless. It was an amazing run in front of the home crowd which made it even more special. I had a bad night before, but I skied well at practice this morning, and I think the performance was amazing!" she said after her victory.
The race unfolded under crisp conditions, with temperatures at 0°C (32°F) contributing to optimal conditions on the course, yet the atmosphere was thick with tension as Venier took to the starting gate. Reflecting on her nervousness, she stated, "I was extremely nervous at the start, I didn't know how to handle, but it was probably a good omen." Her prior experience as the 2013 junior world champion evidently laid the foundation for her triumph on this larger stage.
While Venier celebrated, the attention also turned to Lindsey Vonn, the American skiing legend who was making her first appearance at the world championships since 2019. Vonn, attempting to make her comeback after numerous injuries and retirement, unfortunately did not finish the race. Just 24 seconds after starting, Vonn hooked her right arm on the 11th gate, causing her to skied out of the run. "I just went in a little bit too early to the turn, and I caught my shoulder and my arm on the gate. I’m fine. My arm was numb when it happened. I’m getting feeling back, so I’ll be fine for the downhill on Saturday," she explained, emphasizing her resilience and determination to continue competing.
The results chart cemented not only Venier’s victory but also highlighted Macuga's remarkable achievement—tying for the bronze medal—as she engaged with significant pressure on her first world championships appearance. "Coming up to this year, I was just hoping to make the team. It’s just cool to see I’m figuring out how to do it more and more consistently," Macuga shared, illustrating the excitement of young athletes facing their dreams on such prominent platforms.
Brignone, who claimed second place, also conveyed her satisfaction with her achievement. Having won her first-ever medal in Super-G, she reflected, "That was my goal, and I am very happy I accomplished it." Brignone, the world’s top overall ski racer this season, is celebrated for breaking boundaries, becoming the oldest woman to earn individual world medals.
The overall atmosphere at Saalbach-Hinterglemm was electric, with the crowd cheering loudly for Venier, whose win commemorated not only personal success but also significance for Austrian skiing. Spectators waved Austrian flags and foam hands, creating a palpable home advantage for Venier on the famous course, named after late Austrian champion Ulrike Maier.
With the 2026 Olympics on the horizon, this event marks not just individual milestones but also the buildup on the path to Olympic glory. Venier's remarkable performance and the encouraging results of her competitors set the tone for future competitive skiing. The world championships have offered and will continue to present platforms for athletes to not only showcase their skills but also hone their readiness for what lies next, both individually and as teams.
With individual goals becoming collective celebrations, the ski community looks forward to the next races, keeping the spirit of competition alive. Venier's victory is not just her victory; it's also about the legacy of Alpine skiing and the stories yet to be told as athletes navigate through triumphs and challenges on their winter adventure.