Malorie Blanc surprises everyone with bib number 46 and finishes second in her first World Cup downhill race. The 21-year-old from Valais is just seven hundredths behind Federica Brignone, who celebrates her first downhill victory.
Blanc was eliminated in the super-G in St. Moritz in December, but in her second World Cup race she caused a sensation. Blanc, who took first place in the super-G and second place in the downhill at last year's Junior World Championships, almost prevented Brignone's first ever downhill victory with her run, but was of course also overwhelmed with her second place.
The young skier thus massively improved the Swiss team's result at the last minute, so to speak. Lara Gut-Behrami, who came third in the first downhill in Beaver Creek, finished in 13th place. The skier from Ticino made a big mistake in the second sector. Although she narrowly avoided elimination there, she missed out on the crucial tenths of a second.
Corinne Suter (15th), Janine Schmitt (19th) and Michelle Gisin (21st) also finished in the points. For 24-year-old Schmitt, it was her best World Cup result. Priska Ming-Nufer would also have achieved a strong time, however, she caught the last gate of the race and was disqualified.
At the top, Brignone breathed a sigh of relief after Blanc's finish. The 34-year-old Italian was able to celebrate her 30th victory in the World Cup, her first in the downhill. It was bitter for her compatriot Laura Pirovano, who narrowly missed out on her first podium place in the World Cup. She remained behind the Czech Ester Ledecka, who provided the second biggest surprise on the day with bib number 27.
Returning skier Lindsey Vonn was also in strong form, finishing in 6th place with the number 32. It was the 40-year-old American's first downhill in five years. In December, she had finished 14th in the super-G in St. Moritz.
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