ST. ANTON, Austria (AP) — Lauren Macuga claimed her first World Cup race victory on Sunday, dominating the super-G event where Lindsey Vonn also made an impressive showing with a fourth-place finish. The 22-year-old American’s rapid improvement did not go unnoticed by ski enthusiasts, leading many to believe that sponsors will soon take notice of this rising star from what appears to be the first family of the extended United States ski team.
Macuga showcased exceptional speed and style during her winning run on Sunday, sporting a helmet adorned with a question mark symbol in the absence of a sponsor’s logo. She navigated the challenging course with remarkable precision, outperforming experienced skiers like Federica Brignone and Lara Gut-Behrami, who both fell short with errors that cost them valuable time upon crossing the finish line.
The American skier secured victory with a commanding lead of 0.68 seconds in the super-G discipline, with Stephanie Venier of Austria finishing second and Brignone trailing in third by 0.92 seconds. Olympic champion Gut-Behrami had to settle for fifth place, 1.26 seconds behind Macuga. It’s worth noting that the result was provisional until all skiers had completed their runs.
Despite finishing 1.24 seconds behind Macuga, Lindsey Vonn showcased exceptional speed through the steep middle section of the course in only her third race back at the age of 40. Macuga enthusiastically cheered on her teammate from the sidelines, acknowledging Vonn’s remarkable performance with evident admiration and respect.
Moments after crossing the finish line, Macuga’s elation was palpable as she realized her race-leading time, expressing her disbelief and joy with a jubilant reaction. Clad in a patriotic bucket hat adorned with stars and stripes, Macuga eagerly awaited Vonn’s run while occupying the leader’s box, having secured her well-deserved victory.
Vonn, who had competed at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics in Macuga’s home state of Utah before the young skier was even born, continues to inspire and impress with her enduring passion for the sport. Macuga’s emergence as a new star on the U.S. ski team is further solidified by her consistent performances, including a recent fourth-place finish in a downhill event at Beaver Creek, Colorado.
Notably, Macuga comes from a family deeply rooted in skiing, with her siblings also excelling in their respective disciplines within U.S. ski teams. Sam Macuga is a talented ski jumper, while Alli Macuga showcases her skills in moguls skiing as part of the freestyle team.
As Lauren Macuga celebrates her milestone victory and emerges as a prominent figure in the World Cup circuit, her dedication, skill, and promising potential are poised to attract further attention and support from sponsors and fans alike, solidifying her status as a key contender in elite ski racing.
