Lindsey Vonn Makes History with 410th World Cup Start in St. Moritz

Lindsey Vonn has made history once again at the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in St. Moritz, Switzerland, becoming the oldest athlete to compete in 410 World Cup races. The 41-year-old American athlete achieved this milestone on December 13, 2025, surpassing the previous record held by Austrian skier Renate Goetschl.

In a thrilling race, Vonn finished second, clocking in just 0.24 seconds behind Germany’s Emma Aicher, who completed the course in 1 minute 30.50 seconds. Italy’s Sofia Goggia, a two-time Olympic medalist, rounded out the podium in third place, finishing only five-hundredths of a second behind Vonn. American skier Breezy Johnson secured fourth place, 0.40 seconds off the lead.

Historic Achievements and Competitive Spirit

The events in St. Moritz highlight the ongoing excellence of American women in alpine skiing, with six athletes finishing in the top 22. Isabella Wright secured 13th place, marking her best finish since 2023. Jacqueline Wiles, Keely Cashman, and Allison Mollin followed closely behind, finishing 20th, 21st, and 22nd, respectively.

Prior to Vonn’s recent achievements, the record for the oldest female winner of a FIS World Cup race was held by Federica Brignone, who won a super-G event at the age of 34 in March. The oldest male winner, Didier Cuche, triumphed at 37 during a Super-G in Crans Montana in 2012. Vonn’s performance has also elevated her ranking on the all-time podium list, as she now has 140 podium finishes over her impressive 20-season career. She trails only Mikaela Shiffrin, who has 160, and Ingmar Stenmark, who has 155.

Looking Ahead to Future Competitions

The season-opening speed weekend will conclude with a super-G event on December 14, where Vonn expressed confidence in her skiing performance. This race will be significant, as it marks her first head-to-head matchup with Shiffrin since the 2019 World Championship super-G. Currently, Vonn leads the downhill standings and holds the 11th position in the overall rankings.

With six speed races remaining after the Olympics, Vonn may reconsider her plans for the season, particularly if she remains in contention for a record-extending ninth downhill crystal globe. Reflecting on her career, Vonn stated, “I thought I was going to retire after the last race of the Olympics because I wasn’t sure I’d be competitive for a (season) title. I think I might need to change my approach.”

As Vonn celebrated her impressive second-place finish by spraying sparkling wine, her determination and competitive spirit remain evident. The alpine skiing world is keenly watching to see how her season unfolds, especially as she continues to break records and inspire the next generation of athletes.