The 2025 Women's Super-G World Ski Championships held on February 6, 2025, at Saalbach, Austria, concluded with thrilling results as Stephanie Venier clinched the gold medal, edging out Italy's Federica Brignone for the silver, and sharing the bronze with American Lauren Macuga and Norway's Kajsa Vickhoff Lie. Venier's triumphant performance on the challenging 'Ulli Maier' course made her the champion of the world for the first time, marking a remarkable career milestone.
Venier's winning time of 1:20.47 showcased not only speed but also precision, especially during the demanding mid-section of the course. She narrowly beat Brignone by just 10-hundredths of a second, with Brignone clocking in at 1:20.57, demonstrating her prowess as the overall leader in the World Cup standings this season.
Brignone articulated her emotions post-race, stating, “I am proud, happy, and overjoyed to have done my best on the right day. Super-G had never been my strong suit at major championships.” This achievement marks Brignone’s fourth podium at world championships, previously earning silver and gold medals during past events.
Meanwhile, the race was also notable for the joint bronze medalists, Lauren Macuga and Kajsa Vickhoff Lie, both finishing at 1:20.71, showing the fierce competition within the field. It was a substantial day for Macuga, whose consistent performance throughout the season led her to this significant achievement.
Sofia Goggia from Italy secured fifth place with a time of 1:20.77. Despite her track record as a formidable competitor, Goggia faced several challenges, with some mistakes on the course affecting her position. She reflected, saying, “Someone had to be fourth today; it fell to me. I had some good runs, but there were imperfections.”
Other notable results included Emma Aicher from Germany placing sixth, Ester Ledecka from the Czech Republic seventh, and Lara Gut-Behrami from Switzerland finishing eighth. Elena Curtoni from Italy rounded out the top ten, landing ninth, and Cornelia Huetter from Austria finished tenth.
The event continued to garner excitement beyond medal results as it served as momentum leading toward the opening ceremonies for the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, making it even more significant for competing skiers.
Brignone’s sentiment after the race, expressing feelings of pressure and expectation, resonates within the competitive spirit of the championships. She noted, “I was very much aware of the pressure. Everyone expected something from me, and I wanted to achieve something great.” These emotions reflect the personal stakes at the World Championship level.
For Venier, the victory played out as the culmination of hard work and strategy applied on her home ground. The Austrians celebrate her gold medal as not just personal success but also as national pride.
The competition backdrop was intense, and for athletes like Lindsey Vonn, it was not without its challenges. Despite battling through illness, Vonn faced disappointment as she couldn’t finish the race due to hitting a gate early on. She remains focused on upcoming events, stating, “I’ll see you at the giant slalom.”
Looking forward, the women’s skiing schedule includes additional events, with the Downhill slated for February 8 and the Team Combined set for February 11, leading up to more thrilling competitions culminating with the Giant Slalom and Slalom.
The results of the Women's Super-G serve as both celebration and anticipation for what lies next within the skiing world, with the potential for more surprises and outstanding performances from these talented athletes.