Elena Curtoni congratulates sensation Asja Zenere. © APA/afp / ANDREAS SOLARO

Azure phenomenon: Curtoni triumphs in the Super-G

For the first time in almost three years, Elena Curtoni has won a World Cup race. In doing so, she underlined just how strong the Italian speed team is this season.

March 08, 2026

From: never

Sofia Goggia could have already secured the small crystal globe in the Super-G, while Laura Pirovano was in danger after her Double blow in the downhills in Val di Fassa equally in the spotlight of the World Cup. Both were able to perform well on the slopes on Sunday morning. The Volata However, she didn't shine – but what does that even mean this season? Elena Curtoni stepped up for her teammates and raced to victory in the Val di Fassa ahead of Norwegian Kajsa Vickhoff Lie (+0,26 seconds) and her compatriot Asja Zenere, who sensationally made it onto the podium for the first time in her career with the high starting number 33 (+0,27).

Although Curtoni wasn't the fastest athlete in any sector, the 35-year-old ultimately delivered the best overall performance, securing her first World Cup victory since December 2022. This marks the fourth World Cup win for the 2011 Junior Super-G World Champion.

Azzurre shines across the board

The decision in the battle for the crystal globe has been postponed. Alice Robinson (386 points), Goggia's (449) closest rival in the standings, reduced her deficit to the speed star from Bergamo to 63 points thanks to her fourth-place finish. Goggia, as usual, took a big risk on her run, but this led to a few mistakes, especially in the lower sections, and she finished in eighth place (+0,64), a result she acknowledged with a shake of her head in the finish area.

Sofia Goggia at the World Cup in Val di Fassa. © APA/afp / ANDREAS SOLARO

The 2018 Olympic downhill champion was nevertheless delighted for her teammate Curtoni, who, incidentally, added another facet to an Italian phenomenon: This season, four different Italians – Nicol Delago from South Tyrol, Goggia, Pirovano, and now Curtoni – have each secured at least one World Cup victory in the speed events. Federica Brignone, who ended her season prematurely, also triumphed in the Super-G at the Olympic Games. Such diversity is unparalleled among the women's team.

Shiffrin scores, Delago lags far behind

Mikaela Shiffrin was also in the spotlight. Due to Emma Aicher's recent comeback in the overall World Cup standings, the American was forced to start in the Super-G for the first time since St. Moritz last December. While Shiffrin scored points (21st/+1,69), the German all-rounder Aicher crashed out.

Nicol Delago missed out on points at the World Cup in Val di Fassa. © APA/afp / ANDREAS SOLARO

Meanwhile, Nicol Delago from Val Gardena missed out on points, finishing 2,48 seconds behind the winner (33rd place). Sara Thaler from Ortisei finished just two hundredths of a second ahead of her (32nd place, +2,46). Nadia Delago was eliminated shortly after the second split time after missing a gate. The women's World Cup continues next weekend in Åre, Sweden, with a giant slalom (Saturday, 10:00 a.m.) and a slalom (Sunday, 9:30 a.m.). SportNews-Live ticker) on the program.