Fishing hat and Vonn anthem: The new star in the ski sky

Lauren Macuga sensationally crowned herself the winner in the women's Super-G in St. Anton am Arlberg. After the race, she received high praise from superstar Lindsey Vonn - and also made for a stylish eye-catcher.

12 January 2025

From: never

There was no doubt where the sensation of the day came from. “The Stars and Stripes” – the stars and stripes of the US flag – stretched over her entire body. Lauren Macuga, who had just bagged her first World Cup victory with her fabulous time on the Karl Schranz slope, was particularly proud of her headgear. “This is my fishing hat, my official finish hat. I hope everyone likes it,” she explained in an interview with the ORF with a broad grin and pointed to the red, white and blue accessory on her head. "I just think it's funny."

One day after that surprising podium finish by the Swiss Malorie Blanc In the descent, Macuga went one better and duped even the big guysAlthough the 22-year-old American benefited from the fact that her start fell in a time window in which the conditions on the slopes improved in the meantime, her comfortable lead over Stephanie Venier (+0,68 seconds) and Federica Brignone (+0,92) was by no means just the work of higher powers.

Macuga celebrates with idol Vonn

"At the start I knew I had to push," she said, analyzing her run. "I thought to myself: 'If I want to make it, I have to do it now.' Everything was set up for me." This plan worked perfectly, but when she reached the finish line she still couldn't believe her eyes. "I just couldn't believe it. I asked myself: 'Is that a 1 or a 10?'" she admitted. "Actually, I still can't believe it."

Lindsey Vonn celebrated with Lauren Macuga. © APA/afp / JOE KLAMAR

Her unexpected triumph in the Tyrolean Alps was given a special touch by Lindsey Vonn. In her third race since her comeback, the 40-year-old veteran raced to fourth place, just 0,32 seconds away from the podium. Side by side with her idol, Macuga was delighted with her victory - a special moment. "It's so exciting to have her here. She's my idol," she enthused. "We both rode brilliantly."

Vonn: "She's like me - only younger"

Shortly after her interview, the TV cameras caught a heartwarming scene. Vonn congratulated Macuga once again on her success and hugged the youngster. A little later, she celebrated the young wild one in the ORF "This is amazing. She has trained really well over the past two months," said Vonn. "And I'm not surprised that she won today."

Lindsey Vonn showed her best side. © APA / EXPA/JOHANN GRODER

Vonn had high praise for her. But it didn't stop there. "She really is a wild dog. Just like me - just a little younger," she added, laughing. "I'm very happy for Lauren. She rides with a lot of courage. And that was only her first time, there's a lot more to come."

Vonn ignores critics

Vonn herself came close to her first World Cup podium in almost seven years. "The fact that I came fourth with this run gives me a lot of confidence," she said. "It wasn't perfect, but I'm close." Her performance silenced even Vonn's harshest critics, some of whom had even ridiculed the return of the four-time overall World Cup winner.

"But I don't give a damn. I will always drive with my heart and give it my all." Lindsey Vonn

"Whether I win or come last, there are always people who talk rubbish about me," said Vonn. "It doesn't matter to me. I know what I'm doing and how I'm doing it. I'm having a lot of fun, there's a great atmosphere in my team - that's what it's all about." The weekend in St. Anton was the perfect answer to the debate surrounding her comeback. "But I don't give a damn. I'll always ride with my heart and give it my all," she assured.