Italian skier Sofia Goggia won her third straight women's World Cup downhill race Friday.
Goggia, who had been runner-up in the season-opening downhill, finished 0.20 seconds ahead of Ester Ledecka on a shortened course. American rival Breezy Johnson extended her streak of placing third in every downhill this season.
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Italian skier Sofia Goggia won her third straight women's World Cup downhill race Friday.
Overall leader Petra Vlhova posted an impressive fourth place to extend her lead over Michelle Gisin, who was out of the points in 33rd place.
Three-time overall champion Mikaela Shiffrin is skipping the three speed races in Crans-Montana to focus on her favored slalom and giant slalom events.
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Czech Republic's Ester Ledecka speeds down the course during an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill in Crans Montana, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (AP PhotoGabriele Facciotti)
Switzerland's Michelle Gisin stands at the finish area during an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill in Crans Montana, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (AP PhotoMarco Tacca)
Course crew work at the finish area after an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill postponed due to heavy snowfall, in Crans Montana, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (AP PhotoMarco Tacca)
Johnson, who turned 25 this week, laughed and held up three fingers after seeing she was in third place for the fourth time, 0.57 behind the winner. The Wyoming native rose to second in the downhill standings behind Goggia.
Sofia Goggia of Italy in action during the women's downhill race at the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (Jean-Christophe BottKeystone via AP)
Overall leader Petra Vlhova posted an impressive fourth place to extend her lead over Michelle Gisin, who was out of the points in 33rd place.
Vlhova, a slalom specialist, finished 0.89 behind Goggia in her 17th consecutive start in all races this season.
“Sometimes it’s too much and I’m tired but we are still in this game,” Vlhova said. “We will try to continue like this.”
United States' Breezy Johnson celebrates at the finish area during an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill in Crans Montana, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (AP PhotoMarco Tacca)
Three-time overall champion Mikaela Shiffrin is skipping the three speed races in Crans-Montana to focus on her favored slalom and giant slalom events.
Friday’s downhill was delayed for more than three hours to clear overnight snow from the course. The race was shortened to a lower start on the Mont Lachaux course because of strong winds higher up.
A second downhill is scheduled for Saturday with a super-G on Sunday.
Breezy Johnson of the United States in action during the women's Downhill race at the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (Jean-Christophe BottKeystone via AP)
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Czech Republic's Ester Ledecka competes during an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill in Crans Montana, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (AP PhotoMarco Tacca)
Czech Republic's Ester Ledecka speeds down the course during an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill in Crans Montana, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (AP PhotoGabriele Facciotti)
Switzerland's Michelle Gisin stands at the finish area during an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill in Crans Montana, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (AP PhotoMarco Tacca)
Course crew work at the finish area after an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill postponed due to heavy snowfall, in Crans Montana, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (AP PhotoMarco Tacca)