2024/2025 FIS alpine ski World Cup: Reigning downhill World Cup champion Cornelia Huetter back on top as women’s speed season starts at Beaver Creek

Austria’s Cornelia Huetter began the 2024-25 World Cup speed season the same way she finished the previous one – at the top of the podium. The reigning downhill World Cup champion was in stellar form as she blazed to the finish line of the women’s downhill season opener on Saturday (14 December) in a winning time of 1:32.38.

Huetter was off the podium positions in the three official training runs ahead of the Beaver Creek competition and looked equal parts delighted and surprised when she completed Saturday’s race at the top of the board. She kept that lead as more than 30 other skiers went down the course but were unable to match her pace.

It was the first victory and podium for Huetter on the legendary Birds of Prey course over her 13-year World Cup career.

The 32-year-old has battled back from injuries in recent years and enjoyed her most successful season since 2016 in 2023-24 with seven World Cup podiums and a downhill crystal globe – her first discipline title.

“It was on point. It was not easy. I had the feelings in the first training that I’m skiing OK. I’m skiing not how I want to ski, but it was going all good. I had a solid speed and today the tricky turns, I think I did really good today and took all the speed with me, so I think that was the secret today,” Huetter told FIS after.

“After all the tough years, it’s nice to be in that position and be able to ski like that.”

Sofia Goggia briefly held the lead before Huetter outraced her time of 1:32.54. While she dropped down to second position for the remainer of the race, the Italian skier still had plenty of reasons to celebrate. It was Goggia’s first first race since she broke her leg during giant slalom training in February 2024. She had shown solid form in the downhill training earlier in the week as well, finishing first and second in the field.

Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami finished third, 0.34 seconds behind Huetter.