{"id":1812152,"date":"2026-03-07T03:38:47","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T00:38:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1812152"},"modified":"2026-03-07T03:38:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T00:38:47","slug":"breezy-johnson-3rd-in-downhill-as-emma-aicher-narrows-gap-on-lindsey-vonn-with-2nd-place-at-val-di-fassa-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1812152","title":{"rendered":"Breezy Johnson 3rd in Downhill as Emma Aicher Narrows Gap on Lindsey Vonn With 2nd Place at Val di Fassa, Italy"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_394353\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-394353\" style=\"width: 1320px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-394353 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAGjAQMAAACG0zZlAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADhJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20ND6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIAjA4STAAFQlIC1AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"419\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2465.jpeg?resize=640%2C419&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2465.jpeg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2465.jpeg?resize=300%2C196&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2465.jpeg?resize=1200%2C785&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2465.jpeg?resize=768%2C503&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2465.jpeg?resize=600%2C393&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"419\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-394353\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2465.jpeg?resize=640%2C419&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"419\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-394353\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Today\u2019s podium: Laura Pirovano 1st, Emma Aicher 2nd, Breezy Johnson 3rd. | Image: FIS Alpine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-2 ai-viewport-3 ai-insert-2-62724939\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-2-62724939\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"2\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-1 ai-insert-1-34853321\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-1-34853321\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"1\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>Today, March 6, saw the first of two downhill races in Val di Fassa, Italy, with the women\u2019s speed field tackling the La VolatA course in a race that reshaped the battle for the season-long Downhill Crystal Globe.<\/strong> The victory went to Laura Pirovano\u2014the first of her career\u2014while Emma Aicher was in close second, just 0.01 seconds behind the Italian. Rounding out the podium was Olympic gold medallist Breezy Johnson.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The race was opened by Ilka \u0160tuhec, who is currently the oldest ski racer on the circuit after Federica Brignone\u2019s decision to withdraw from the remainder of the season.<\/strong> She set the pace at 1:21.81. The tricky part about being the first ski racer is not knowing if this is a high benchmark or not, but it turned out to be a highly competitive time as several top-ranked skiers failed to unseat the Slovenian ski racer\u2014ultimately it was a 7th place for \u0160tuhec on the day.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/ski-racer-federica-brignone-ends-season-after-historic-double-olympic-gold-medals\/\"><em><strong>Ski Racer Federica Brignone Ends Season After Historic Double Olympic Gold Medals<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The first ski racer to beat \u0160tuhec was Germany\u2019s Kira Weidle-Winkelmann in bib 7, who is having the best season of her career.<\/strong> Before today\u2019s race, Weidle-Winkelmann was ranked third in downhill behind her teammate Emma Aicher and the injured Lindsey Vonn, after two second places and a slew of top-10 finishes. She crossed the finish line 0.09 seconds ahead of \u0160tuhec\u2014a narrow gap.<\/p>\n<p><strong>However, her lead did not last long.<\/strong> Italy\u2019s Laura Pirovano in bib 8 showed what is possible on the La VolatA course in Val di Fassa, edging Weidle-Winkelmann by 0.32 seconds.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Next up was Olympic champion Breezy Johnson, who certainly was a favorite for the podium today.<\/strong> With a strong top section, the American ski racer put herself in the lead on the top section by about a tenth of a second, but lost time on the lower section, crossing the finish line 0.29 seconds behind Pirovano.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_394350\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-394350\" style=\"width: 1320px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-394350 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAALoAQMAAADSpNZXAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAFFJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20ND6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAeDTraAABcZ1uKAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"744\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2468.jpeg?resize=640%2C744&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2468.jpeg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2468.jpeg?resize=258%2C300&amp;ssl=1 258w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2468.jpeg?resize=1032%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 1032w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2468.jpeg?resize=768%2C893&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2468.jpeg?resize=600%2C698&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"744\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-394350\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2468.jpeg?resize=640%2C744&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"744\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-394350\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">An elated Breezy Johnson on the shoulders of her coaches and teammates. | Image: FIS Alpine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Austria\u2019s Conny H\u00fctter, who won earlier this season in Val d\u2019Is\u00e8re, France, put her best efforts into the pursuit, but like Johnson lost time on the lower section of the course, slotting in between Weidle-Winkelmann and \u0160tuhec.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>All eyes were on Germany\u2019s Emma Aicher in bib 11, who won Olympic silver and is currently ranked second behind Vonn in the downhill standings.<\/strong> The rising star of the World Cup circuit\u2014who has skied into the top six in the last five downhill races\u2014was slightly slower on the top section but created speed in the second sector. It was tight, super tight, but ultimately she finished just 0.01 seconds behind Pirovano, claiming second place.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/why-now-is-the-perfect-time-to-go-to-italys-dolomiti-superski-despite-the-olympics\/\"><em><strong>Why Now is the Perfect Time to go to Italy\u2019s Dolomiti Superski Despite the Olympics<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Norway\u2019s Kajsa Vickhoff Lie, who had been second in training the day before, had a fantastic top section that saw her 0.10 seconds ahead of Pirovano, but she went a bit wide on the lower section and lost time, eventually finishing behind \u0160tuhec.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_394352\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-394352\" style=\"width: 1320px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-394352 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAJoAQMAAADMFMKPAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAEdJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20LL6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB4GMLoAAFaiGeDAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"616\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2466.jpeg?resize=640%2C616&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2466.jpeg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2466.jpeg?resize=300%2C289&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2466.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1155&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2466.jpeg?resize=768%2C739&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2466.jpeg?resize=600%2C578&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"616\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-394352\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2466.jpeg?resize=640%2C616&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"616\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-394352\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">It marks Laura Pirovano\u2019s first-ever World Cup victory. | Image: FIS Alpine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-2 ai-viewport-3 ai-insert-4-77215455\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-4-77215455\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"PGRpdiBjbGFzcz0nY29kZS1ibG9jayBjb2RlLWJsb2NrLTQnIHN0eWxlPSdtYXJnaW46IDhweCBhdXRvOyB0ZXh0LWFsaWduOiBjZW50ZXI7IGRpc3BsYXk6IGJsb2NrOyBjbGVhcjogYm90aDsnPgo8c2NyaXB0IGFzeW5jIHNyYz0iaHR0cHM6Ly9wYWdlYWQyLmdvb2dsZXN5bmRpY2F0aW9uLmNvbS9wYWdlYWQvanMvYWRzYnlnb29nbGUuanM\/Y2xpZW50PWNhLXB1Yi04MDQ2MzU3NTk4MTA4NzYyIgogICAgIGNyb3Nzb3JpZ2luPSJhbm9ueW1vdXMiPjwvc2NyaXB0Pgo8IS0tIE1vYmlsZSBJbi1BcnRpY2xlIC0tPgo8aW5zIGNsYXNzPSJhZHNieWdvb2dsZSIKICAgICBzdHlsZT0iZGlzcGxheTpibG9jayIKICAgICBkYXRhLWFkLWNsaWVudD0iY2EtcHViLTgwNDYzNTc1OTgxMDg3NjIiCiAgICAgZGF0YS1hZC1zbG90PSI0Njk5Mjg4MDkyIgogICAgIGRhdGEtYWQtZm9ybWF0PSJhdXRvIgogICAgIGRhdGEtZnVsbC13aWR0aC1yZXNwb25zaXZlPSJ0cnVlIj48L2lucz4KPHNjcmlwdD4KICAgICAoYWRzYnlnb29nbGUgPSB3aW5kb3cuYWRzYnlnb29nbGUgfHwgW10pLnB1c2goe30pOwo8L3NjcmlwdD48L2Rpdj4K\" data-block=\"4\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-1 ai-insert-3-33696213\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-3-33696213\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"3\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>With only three top-15 skiers\u2014who benefit from a separate bib lottery\u2014left to start, a podium for Pirovano began to look within reach.<\/strong> Austria\u2019s Mirjam Puchner in bib 13 fell far behind, finishing outside the top 20. USA\u2019s Jacqueline Wileslikewise fell behind the top field after a skid on the top section.\u00a0This only left Sofia Goggia, the \u201cQueen of Speed,\u201d to shake up the rankings. However, Goggia also fell short, finishing 17th (+0.90 seconds) after several mid-section errors.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The result marks Pirovano\u2019s first-ever World Cup victory\u2014and first podium\u2014on her 125th World Cup start, turning years of consistent results into a breakthrough moment. <\/strong>\u201cOh my God, I can\u2019t understand. Right now it\u2019s a lot but everything is amazing today,\u201d Pirovano said after the race. \u201cThe sun is shining, the slope was amazing. I had a really nice race, attacking every turn.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>The 28-year-old Italian had finished inside the top 10 in all six downhill races this season, along with a fifth place in Super-G and sixth in the team combined at the 2026 Winter Olympics, but had never previously stood on a World Cup podium. <\/strong>\u201cIt\u2019s been not easy for sure but I just tried to focus on what I am able to do, on my skiing and to attack 100% every time,\u201d she said. \u201cI knew I was in good condition, so I just tried and tried \u2026 and finally something!\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_394349\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-394349\" style=\"width: 1320px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-394349 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAKbAQMAAABfEqk4AAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAEtJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20LL6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOBnTCwAB5pSseQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"667\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2469.jpeg?resize=640%2C667&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2469.jpeg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2469.jpeg?resize=288%2C300&amp;ssl=1 288w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2469.jpeg?resize=1152%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2469.jpeg?resize=768%2C800&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2469.jpeg?resize=600%2C625&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"667\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-394349\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2469.jpeg?resize=640%2C667&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"667\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-394349\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Laura Pirovano celebrating with Breezy Johnson in Val di Fassa. | Image: FIS Alpine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Today\u2019s downhill result dramatically tightens the race for the 2025-26 season FIS Downhill Crystal Globe. <\/strong>With 100 points for the victory, Pirovano moves into third in the standings, 64 points behind Vonn, bumping Weidle-Winkelmann into fourth. Aicher\u2019s runner-up finish earned 80 points, cutting Vonn\u2019s lead at the top to just 14 points.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/lindsey-vonn-claims-another-downhill-podium-extends-discipline-lead-at-world-cup-in-tarvisio-italy\/\"><em>Lindsey Vonn Claims Another Downhill Podium &amp; Extends Discipline Lead at World Cup in Tarvisio, Italy\u00a0<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Aicher remained calm and matter of fact despite the razor-thin margin on Pirovano. <\/strong>\u201cThe top was OK. I made some parts better than in training, so I would say an OK race,\u201d she said in her matter-of-fact way. \u201cOne-hundredth of a second is nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_394351\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-394351\" style=\"width: 1320px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-394351 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAK9AQMAAACO508TAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAE5JREFUeNrtwYEAAAAAw6D5U1\/gCFUBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAPdzQAB6KZjcAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"701\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2467.jpeg?resize=640%2C701&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2467.jpeg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2467.jpeg?resize=274%2C300&amp;ssl=1 274w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2467.jpeg?resize=1095%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 1095w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2467.jpeg?resize=768%2C841&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2467.jpeg?resize=600%2C657&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"701\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-394351\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2467.jpeg?resize=640%2C701&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"701\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-394351\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Emma Aicher and Laura Pirovano celebrating with the usual champagne shower. | Image: FIS Alpine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>With another downhill scheduled in Val di Fassa on Saturday and the final race of the season coming at the World Cup Finals in Lillehammer on March 21, the globe race remains wide open.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0Johnson\u2019s third place marked her 10th career World Cup podium<\/strong>. \u201cI\u2019m happy with how I skied today and I felt like I left it all out there,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cI am very excited that there is another chance tomorrow as well.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Behind Johnson, Wiles finished 11th, continuing a steady run of downhill results this season. <\/strong>Young American Allison Mollin delivered a standout performance as well, finishing 13th for a career-best World Cup result. \u201cI am very happy about today,\u201d Mollin said. \u201cI was focusing on hitting the points that I talked about with my coaches in video and connecting them all.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Further down the results, Mary Bocock finished 24th, earning her first-ever downhill World Cup points after starting with bib 54 and claiming the team\u2019s Stifel Bibbo Award. <\/strong>Tricia Mangan squeezed into the points, finishing 29th, while Bella Wright, Keely Cashman, and Haley Cutler placed outside the top 30 with a 35th, 38th, and 39th place, respectively.<\/p>\n<p><strong>With another downhill race tomorrow, the pressure is mounting\u2014and the Downhill Crystal Globe could already be within Aicher\u2019s reach by the weekend, though the final verdict will likely come at the season finale in Lillehammer.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/womens-2025-26-fis-alpine-world-cup-calendar\/\"><em>The 2025-20 Women\u2019s FIS Alpine World Cup Calendar<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_394348\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-394348\" style=\"width: 1320px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-394348 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAJ\/AQMAAADSx\/CsAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAElJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20ND6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK4Nyi8AASh3PhMAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"639\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2470.jpeg?resize=640%2C639&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2470.jpeg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2470.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2470.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1198&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2470.jpeg?resize=768%2C767&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2470.jpeg?resize=600%2C599&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2470.jpeg?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"639\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-394348\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_2470.jpeg?resize=640%2C639&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"639\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-394348\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Team USA celebrating Breezy Johnson\u2019s third place in Val di Fassa. | Image: FIS Alpine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-2 ai-viewport-3 ai-insert-4-72767163\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-4-72767163\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"4\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-1 ai-insert-3-64375742\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-3-64375742\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"3\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n<p><!-- CONTENT END 1 -->\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today\u2019s podium: Laura Pirovano 1st, Emma Aicher 2nd, Breezy Johnson 3rd. | Image: FIS Alpine Today, March 6, saw the first of two downhill races in Val di Fassa, Italy, with the women\u2019s speed field tackling the La VolatA course in a race that reshaped the battle for the season-long Downhill Crystal Globe. The victory [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,267],"class_list":["post-1812152","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-snowbrains-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1812152","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1812152"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1812152\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1812152"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1812152"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1812152"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}