Lindsey Vonn impresses skiing into fifth place in her first World Cup downhill race since 2019 United States Lindsey Vonn reacts after completing an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill race, in St. Anton, Austria, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Stunningly, Vonn was later pushed down to sixth when World Cup downhill debutant Malorie Blanc, wearing bib No. 46, raced into second place. The 21-year-old Swiss prospect, who was not born when Vonn started her World Cup career, finished 0.07 seconds behind Brignone.

The United States star — the greatest downhill racer in women’s World Cup history — was fastest in the first part of the course, touching 77 miles per hour.

Vonn won a record 43 downhills in her 82-win World Cup career. Her previous World Cup downhill had been in January 2019, placing ninth at Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Several weeks later, she took bronze in the 2019 world championships at Are, Sweden, before retiring.

Lauren Macuga reacts after winning the women's World Cup super-G race in St. Anton, Austria on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025.

“Wow, Lindsey, wow!” the racecourse commentator broadcast to fans as Vonn puffed her cheeks walking from the finish area. It was a picture-postcard day in Austria, still and sunny with -8 Celsius (18 degrees Fahrenheit) temperatures. The Karl Schranz ...

Vonn skied Saturday in picture postcard conditions, on a still and sunny day with -8 Celsius (18 Fahrenheit) temperatures. The Karl Schranz course was shortened to 1.9 kilometers (1.2 miles ...

The racecourse commentator broadcasting Lindsey Vonn's first World Cup downhill ... temperatures. The Karl Schranz course was shortened to 1.9 kilometers (1.2 miles) because of heavy snowfalls ...

ST ANTON, Austria — (AP) — Lindsey Vonn skied into an impressive sixth ... temperatures. The Karl Schranz course was shortened to 1.9 kilometers (1.2 miles) because of heavy snowfalls after ...

United States’ Lindsey Vonn waves at the finish area after crashing during an alpine ski, women’s World Cup Super-G, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025 (AP Photo/Alessandro ...

Lindsey Vonn crashed out of a World Cup Super-G race on Sunday while on pace for her best finish so far in her comeback to alpine skiing. The American star was tracking toward a podium spot in ...

United States' Lindsey Vonn lies on the snow after crashing during an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill training, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati ...