Pirovano stuns in Val di Fassa to throw Downhill Globe race open

Laura Pirovano (ITA/Head) produced a career-best performance in Val di Fassa on Friday morning to catapult herself into contention for the Audi FIS World Cup women’s Downhill Crystal Globe.

The Italian, who had never even finished on a World Cup podium, was not alone however, with Emma Aciher (GER/Head) responding in fine style to grab second, ahead of the Olympic and world Downhill champion Breezy Johnson (USA/Atomic).

In the absence of the injured Lindsey Vonn (USA/Head) those results transform the race for the prestigious season-long prize. The 100 points Pirovano grabbed with victory pushes her up into third in the standings, 64 points behind Vonn, while Aicher closed the gap at the top to just 14 points.

With a second Downhill taking place in Val di Fassa on Saturday, before the final World Cup Downhill of the season in Lillehammer on 21 March, Aicher and Pirovano are now in pole position to fight it out for a maiden Globe.

Especially after Pirovano’s teammate Sofia Goggia (ITA/Atomic) finished down in 17^th (+0.90) making her hopes of a fifth Downhill Globe unlikely. The 2026 Olympic Downhill bronze medallist was left rueing several mid-section errors on a day of tight margins.

In comparison, Kira Weidle-Winkelmann (GER/Rossignol) kept herself in Globe contention, with a superb run placing her fourth (+0.32 seconds). The German, 94 points behind Vonn, will need even better on Saturday if she harbours hopes of her first Globe.

Elsewhere, Connie Huetter (AUT/Head) and Ariane Raedler (AUT/Head) were the best of the Austrians, finishing fifth and sixth respectively, while 35-year-old Ilka Stuhec (SLO/Kaestle) ended seventh, her fourth top-10 of her 18^th World Cup season.

Party-time for Pirovano

For Pirovano, her first victory and first podium came in her 125^th World Cup start after a season in which may have been wondering when these honours would ever fall her way.

Six times in six races the 28-year-old had finished inside the top-10 in the Downhill this season, alongside a fifth in Super G and a sixth in the Team Combined at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games.

But finally, just 90 minute’s drive from Cortina d’Ampezzo, and in front of hordes of passionate fans – not to mention a host of delighted fellow competitors – the popular Italian made it to the winner’s circle.  

Showing a touch that the absent Federica Brignone (ITA/Rossignol) would have been proud of, Pirovano mastered the demanding Val di Fassa track, letting her skis fly to finally turn her consistency into victory.

“It’s been not easy for sure but I really just tried to focus on what I am able to do, on my skiing and just to attack 100% every time,” Pirovano said. “I knew I was in good condition, so I just tried and tried and tried and finally something. I am more than happy.”

The fact that the result makes the Globe a real possibility is something Pirovano can hardly comprehend.

“I don’t want to think about it too much,” the Italian said with a laugh. “I just want to stay focused on what I have to do race by race and what will be will be.”

‘Faster tomorrow’

Aicher was quick to acknowledge that Pirovano’s sustained excellence through the season deserved a first win, but the German could not have come closer to catching her.

Like the winner, Aicher was typically light and relaxed on her skis, an approach that paid dividends down the often technically demanding track. Up on the clock at the mid-section, the 22-year-old showed she has what it takes to win in Val di Fassa and not only grab control of the Downhill Globe but continue to put real pressure on Mikaela Shiffrin (USA/Atomic) in the race for the Overall Crystal Globe.

After Aicher’s second place, she is just 139 points behind, with opportunities Saturday and Sunday to overtake the American.

“Of course, I hope I can be faster tomorrow. I am just going to try and ski as well as I did today and maybe do some stuff better,” Aicher said. “I’ll try and do even better."

It’s not over’

Another skier who is also eyeing up Saturday’s second chance is Johnson. Fresh from her Olympic success, the USA star is another skier not out of the chance for the more glory.

“I mean obviously the end of the season, everyone wants a little more. But I am happy with how I skied. I felt like I left it all out there. Another chance tomorrow to go clean up some things,” said Johnson, who is 117 points behind in the Downhill Globe standings with 200 points up for grabs.

“I mean I don’t think it’s over because there are so many good girls and it’s so tight today.”

But for now, the 30-year-old who is still chasing a first ever World Cup win, was simply delighted her fellow racer had got over the line at last.

“I am really happy for Lolli (Pirovano) as a first win, it’s so well deserved I think everybody on tour was really excited to see that happen."

Saturday’s Downhill starts at 09:45 CET, do not miss it.

Check out the full results from the women’s Downhill in Val di Fassa here, with the latest season standings in the race for the Downhill Crystal Globe here.

Also, do please head to Reuters Connect and Actionpress.de to view and purchase a wide selection of photographs from this race and from all FIS events.