Gut gets first downhill victory of the season

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Swiss Lara Gut claimed her first downhill victory of the season and seventh of her career on Saturday at Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, propelling her to within 30 points of Mikaela Shiffrin in the race for the overall title.

Home favorite Sofia Goggia sat in the lead prior to Gut besting her by a slim 0.05 seconds.

"The top wasn't really clean and I didn't trust myself to push 100 percent on the skis, so after the second split I really had the feeling that I had to change something. I tried to ski a little bit smoother and it worked out. I'm happy. I knew that if I did what I can, I could be really fast,” Gut said with a smile.

Runner-up Goggia was fighting to get back on the podium streak she started early in the season.

"I think I made a great performance today in the downhill. I'm pretty happy with my skiing but still a little bittersweet for the last interval. But still, it's really OK. I'm trying to push every race close to my limits. It's ok when you try and fail, the important thing is not to lose the confidence you have earned during the season,” Goggia reflected.

Downhill standings leader Ilka Stuhec of Slovenia also recorded a podium result for the first time since December in Val d’Isere.

"My run felt OK, not perfect, because I know that I made some mistakes and lost some time. That's why I'm not winning, I guess. But for sure, it's a beautiful day to ski. And here is always very, very nice because we've done two trainings and a race and there is no track in the snow – no nothing – so it is perfect, and I love it,” Stuhec said.

The venue hosts a super-G race for the ladies on Sunday.

See full results from this downhill race here.