In the realm of alpine skiing, this year’s Olympic season has been particularly eventful.
One of the most captivating narratives revolves around the resurgence of 41-year-old American sensation Lindsey Vonn. Despite retiring in 2019 due to injuries after an impressive career with 82 victories, Vonn made a remarkable comeback last season. With a new titanium knee, she secured a silver medal in her final race, establishing herself as the oldest woman to grace an alpine World Cup podium. Currently, Vonn stands as a strong contender for her sixth Olympics, having clinched medals in all five women’s downhill events this season, including two golds, and achieving podium finishes in seven out of eight races overall.
Additionally, the return of five-time overall champion Mikaela Shiffrin, who surpassed Vonn’s women’s World Cup wins record in 2023, has been noteworthy. Despite a setback last year due to a puncture wound, Shiffrin has displayed resilience by winning six out of seven slalom races this season, along with a silver medal in the remaining event.
Meanwhile, the reigning women’s overall champion Federica Brignone from Italy has made a timely comeback after a leg injury last April, finishing sixth in her first race and setting her sights on the upcoming home Olympics.
On the men’s side, Swiss standout Marco Odermatt continues to impress with seven victories in 15 races this season, positioning himself strongly for his fifth consecutive overall title and potentially securing his third consecutive Crystal Globes in downhill, super-G, and giant slalom disciplines.
Conversely, Canadian ski racers have faced challenges this season, managing only one medal, a bronze by Val Grenier in a women’s giant slalom event. The top Canadian contenders for the Olympics, Jack Crawford and Cam Alexander, have struggled to reach the podium, with Crawford notably achieving only one top-10 result out of nine starts this season and Alexander failing to secure a top-six finish through seven races following a knee injury last year.
Despite their recent performances, Crawford and Alexander have an opportunity to turn the tide as they compete in the prestigious Kitzbuhel event in Austria this week. Kitzbuhel is renowned for its challenging Streif course, where skiers face daunting obstacles and exhilarating jumps, making it a pivotal stop on the men’s World Cup tour.
Last year, Crawford made history by becoming the first Canadian to win the Kitzbuhel downhill since the era of the legendary Crazy Canucks. The upcoming races at Kitzbuhel, including the super-G and downhill events, present a chance for Crawford and Alexander to regain their confidence before the Olympic Games.
Fans can catch the action from Kitzbuhel live on the CBC Sports website and the CBC Gem streaming app, starting with the super-G on Friday followed by the downhill on Saturday.