Lindsey Vonn Sets Fastest Time in St. Moritz Alpine Ski Training as Austrian Athletes Mark Notable Performances

During the opening training session for the alpine skiing event in St. Moritz, Lindsey Vonn delivered the standout performance, recording the fastest time on the course. The session drew a competitive field of 74 athletes, including a strong contingent from Austria.

Among the Austrian skiers, the Salzburg native and reigning Vice World Champion demonstrated solid form, finishing the run with a time that placed her 0.97 seconds behind Vonn. Close behind, Cornelia Hütter of Styria secured tenth place, missing her compatriot's time by a narrow margin of just six hundredths of a second.

The Vorarlberg athletes also made their presence known. Ariane Rädler finished in twelfth place, trailing the leader by 1.17 seconds, while Nina Ortlieb completed her run 1.33 seconds off the pace, earning her the sixteenth spot in the rankings. In total, 16 athletes from the Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV) participated in the session, reflecting the depth of talent within the nation's women's alpine skiing squad.

One of the most significant moments of the day came from Tirol's Ricarda Haaser. After suffering a cruciate ligament tear in the Super-G at the World Championships ten months prior, Haaser made her return to competition just six weeks after resuming on-snow training. Her comeback run placed her sixty-second, with a time deficit of 3.89 seconds behind the top finisher. Despite the gap, her successful return to competitive skiing marks a notable step in her recovery and ongoing career.

The training session in St. Moritz was characterized by challenging conditions, testing the skills and resilience of the athletes ahead of the official competition. The results highlight not only Vonn's continued dominance in the discipline but also the competitive spirit within the Austrian team as the season progresses.

As preparations advance for upcoming races, the performances in St. Moritz offer insights into current form and readiness among the leading contenders. The Austrian team, with its mix of established athletes and those returning from injury, will look to build on these results in pursuit of top finishes in the World Cup circuit.

Observers noted the strong overall showing from Austria, underscoring the nation's prominent role in international alpine skiing. The ongoing return of athletes from injury and the emergence of new talents continue to shape the competitive landscape as the winter sports season unfolds.