Cornelia Huetter wins first-ever women’s world cup downhill on Beaver Creek's Birds of Prey course

For decades, the Birds of Prey course at Beaver Creek has been a staple for the men’s World Cup downhill races, known for its steep terrain and challenging features. However, December 14, 2024, marked a historic milestone as the women’s World Cup downhill was held on this legendary course for the first time. Cornelia Huetter of Austria rose to the occasion, navigating the technical challenges of the course with remarkable skill and poise. Reaching speeds of nearly 79 mph (126.94 kph), Huetter completed the race in 1 minute, 32.38 seconds, claiming victory by a slim margin of 0.16 seconds over Italy's Sofia Goggia. Switzerland's Lara Gut-Behrami rounded out the top three with a solid performance. Despite her impressive pedigree as the reigning World Cup downhill champion, Huetter admitted to feeling nervous upon her first inspection of the course. "At the first inspection, I was like, ‘Are you (freaking) kidding me? It's so deep. What the hell am I doing here?’” she said, reflecting on the intimidating challenge of skiing such a steep course. "I've never skied that steep before. All in all, it was amazing." However, Huetter quickly overcame those nerves, trusting her skills and taking the line that would ultimately lead her to victory. Her victory was a testament to her experience and ability to handle the most demanding courses in Alpine skiing. Sofia Goggia’s performance was another highlight of the race. After a serious leg injury last February that threatened her career, Goggia made a triumphant return to the World Cup circuit with a second-place finish. She was leading the downhill standings before her injury, and while she fell short of victory, Goggia was pleased with her recovery and performance. “This summer, I was really close to quitting,” Goggia shared. “It would've been so perfect to win today. But I wasn’t so perfect in the bottom. I’m really happy with my comeback. I had a good race, but I think I skied 80% of my potential.” The top American finisher was Lauren Macuga, who secured an impressive fourth-place finish, just 0.52 seconds behind Huetter. Macuga, 22, expressed her pride in achieving her best-ever World Cup result. "I kept looking at the scoreboard and I’m like, ‘Wow, my name is up there,’” said Macuga, clearly excited by her breakthrough performance. “I knew I could ski this well. It’s just a matter of putting it out there. It’s such a rewarding feeling to come down and know I was able to accomplish that.” The Birds of Prey course holds a special place in Alpine skiing history, and its importance was highlighted by the presence of Lindsey Vonn, who served as a forerunner for the race. Vonn, a legend in the sport, tested the course before the competitors took their turns. She made her own announcement that she would be returning to racing next week for a pair of World Cup super-G events in St. Moritz, Switzerland. "I think this is the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen for a forerunner in my life," Vonn said. "I got a cheer as if I was racing.” Vonn’s return to competitive skiing next weekend will be closely watched by fans and competitors alike, as the sport welcomes back one of its most iconic figures. Cornelia Huetter's victory on the Birds of Prey course not only made history but also solidified her position as one of the sport’s premier downhill racers. The race was a milestone for women’s Alpine skiing, showcasing the immense skill and courage required to conquer the world’s most challenging courses. As the World Cup season continues, all eyes will be on the upcoming events, including the return of Goggia and the highly anticipated races involving Lindsey Vonn. With so much talent on display, the excitement for the rest of the season is just beginning.