Macuga Snags First Downhill Podium; Johnson Top 10

On Saturday’s downhill in Kvitfjell, Norway, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Lauren Macuga shined bright as she claimed her first ever World Cup downhill podium in second place. Teammate Breezy Johnson also skied well to a top 10 finish. 

“I feel like it wasn't me yesterday and today I went out there charging and my tuck over some terrain, and got over the outside ski and just sent it,” said Macuga. 

It was not quite as sunny as Friday, but the vibes in Kvitfjell were top notch as the best women speed skiers in the world got ready to send it down the downhill track for the second time this weekend. The snow locked up from the colder temperatures the night before, leading to a very strong surface for the race. 

Macuga ran wearing bib three and after skiing the track three times through training and Friday's race, she knew exactly what she needed to do to find the coveted green light once again. At each split she was cooking, making up a lot of time compared to the two previous skiers to punch her fist through the line into first place. 

“I think it was a solid run for me. No matter what happens today, I'm really happy with my skiing,” said Macuga. “I was also trying to be clean and trying to be smart over the jump because that is such a crucial part of this course.”

Next up for the team was Johnson. Fresh off her first World Cup podium in three years on Friday, Johnson was on the hunt for more success. A few bobbles in some key areas led Johnson to fall to 10th place overall - but still a solid result for the downhill skier. 

“I did my best this weekend, and I'm happy with that,” said Johnson. “It's really cool being part of a team that's doing this well. It's really cool being able to know that all of us can put it in there on any day of the week.”

The next threat to Macuga’s time was Germany’s Emma Aicher who landed her first podium ever the day before. Aicher skied fast, fierce and cleanly to bump Macuga by just 0.03 seconds to take the lead and eventually her first win of her career. Third place went to the previous day’s winner, Austrian Cornelia Huetter. 

Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes Jackie Wiles, Lindsey Vonn and independent skier Haley Cutler also had strong days in 14th, 16th and 30th, respecitvely. Notably it was Cutler's first time in the points. Bella Wright did not finish but is OK. Tricia Mangan landed in 42nd place.

Now the women will prepare for the super-G and final race of the weekend on Sunday. 

RESULTS
Women's downhill

HOW TO WATCH
4:30 a.m. ET - women’s super-G, Kvitfjell, NOR - skiandsnowboard.live