Lindsey Vonn after the second training run. © APA/afp / TIZIANA FABI

Vonn defies critics – Nadia Delago has to wait

Before the women's downhill race at the Milan/Cortina Olympics, a crucial training day was on the agenda in Cortina. Besides the Italian team's internal qualification, Lindsey Vonn once again came into focus.

February 07, 2026

From: do

After the first medals in the men's downhill were awarded on Saturday at the Olympic Games in Milan/Cortina – much to the delight of the South Tyroleans Now, all eyes turn to the women. Their quest for a medal begins on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Before that, however, the second training run was on the agenda for Saturday – and, from the Italian team's perspective, the qualification for the last starting spot in the Olympic downhill.

Sofia Goggia, Nicol Delago, and Laura Pirovano had already secured their spots and delivered solid performances in the second practice session. Goggia finished sixth, 0,86 seconds behind Breezy Johnson, who set the fastest time. Pirovano was ninth (+1,00), while Delago was sixteenth (+1,76). The fourth starting position was contested between Federica Brignone, Elena Curtoni, and Nadia Delago.

Brignone in the fog of Cortina. © ANSA / ANDREA SOLERO

Last season's dominant skier, Federica Brignone, put in a respectable performance, finishing seventh with a gap of 0,93 seconds. Curtoni came in 15th (+1,73), while Nadia Delago's attempt was thwarted by the approaching fog – the training session was shortened after 21 skiers and held without timing.

What does that mean? Brignone now has to decide whether she wants to start in the downhill, as she explained after training. Otherwise, the coaching decision would come down to Curtoni and Delago. Brignone will inform her team later this afternoon.

Vonn is beaming in Cortina

The other big topic on the Cortina slope was – as so often these days – Lindsey Vonn. Astonishment and doubt had spread among fans and experts, as the American rising star intends to compete in Sunday's downhill race despite a torn cruciate ligament. Accordingly, many of the reporters' questions after Friday's first training run revolved around precisely this fact. However, the 41-year-old appeared confident:"My knee felt stable and strong. It wasn't swollen. I'm confident I can ride on Sunday with the support of a knee brace."

The knee seems to be holding up. © APA/afp / FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT

After the second training run at the Olimpia delle Tofane, Vonn proved to her critics – and probably to herself – that she can compete at the very top. The American posted the third-fastest time on the perfectly prepared Olympic snow. She was just 0,37 seconds behind her compatriot Breezy Johnson, who set the fastest time of 1:37,91. Germany's Kira Weidle-Winkelmann (+0,21), who had already been among the top three on Friday, finished between the two American athletes.