‘I felt really proud of myself’ Mowinckel achieves first career World Cup downhill win in Cortina d’Ampezzo
Jan 27, 2024·Alpine Skiing
The passionate Italian fans in Cortina d’Ampezzo were far from thrilled when Ragnhild Mowinckel (NOR) prevented their beloved Sofia Goggia (ITA) from achieving victory, however they respectfully applauded the Norwegian racer who clocked the fastest run of the day.
Mowinckel won her first career World Cup downhill Saturday on the Olympia delle Tofane track. It was her fourth career victory in total, and second in Cortina following last season’s super-G triumph.
“I’m extremely happy with how I skied and how it went, today is one of those days I felt really proud of myself,” Mowinckel said in the sun-drenched Cortina finish area.
The 31-year-old Norwegian veteran clocked a time of 1.33.50 on the future 2026 Olympic piste, 0.44 seconds faster than Goggia. Jacqueline Wiles (USA) surprised all punching it into second place from bib. No. 26, 0.35 behind Mowinckel, while bumping Goggia down to third place.
Starting bib No. 20, Mowinckel made her mark on the middle section of the 2.66-kilometer course increasing speed while navigating the difficult Delta and Gran curves, and clocking the fastest times on the second and third of the course’s four sectors.
“For sure, I feel like today I didn’t hold back and there wasn’t so much reserved and that was different from how I’ve previously skied,” Mowinckel said.
“I hit the right spots today, and also it was a huge difference coming down (the bottom) here today, because yesterday I was really bad here, so I fixed something and apparently that worked.”
Mowinckel said she was “extremely surprised” when she crossed the finish line and saw the green light.
It was a marathon three-hour race under sunny skies considering numerous delays due to substantial wind gusts as well as crashes and racers needing to be attended to on course.
Wiles was the surprise second-place finisher, achieving her first podium finish since also doing here in Cortina in January 2018. The U.S. contingent in the finish area erupted in applause when the 31-year-old veteran crossed the finish line, only behind Mowinckel.
The American ski racer has been plagued with injuries throughout her World Cup career, including a two-year hiatus. Wiles said she almost quit the sport.
“This is absolutely crazy - it has been a long tine coming with a lot of injuries over the last five or six years,” Wiles said. “To be able to come here and put a run down like that means the world to me, it’s really special.”
Goggia came up short of Cortina victory number four, but still pleased the home crowd with a second podium finish in as many days.
“The first 17 came with a lot of wind and others came down without a lot of wind,” Goggia said. “It’s mixed emotions for me and I am sorry I didn’t win.
“I’m happy with my performance and I had a good run. It was hard against the wind, but it was a good day.”
Since the start of last season Goggia has finished on the podium in 12 of 14 downhill races, including six victories.
Goggia and teammate Federica Brignone, who finished 12th, remain tied atop the all-time Italian women’s World Cup victory list, both with 24.
Friday’s downhill winner Stephane Venier (AUT) had a solid showing, but couldn’t duplicate her success of one day prior, finishing tied for 5th with Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI), 0.71 seconds behind Mohwinckel.
The Cortina d’Ampezzo race weekend concludes on Sunday with a super-G on the Olympia delle Tofane.
