Elisabeth Goergl Wins Alpine Downhill

2011 World Alpine Ski Championships

With a time of 1:47.24, Austrian Elisabeth Goergl surprised crowds at the World Alpine Ski Championships today, by winning the women’s downhill. Goergl also won the super-G crown earlier in the competition. This was the first win of a downhill, at this level, for the 29 year old skier.

Lindsey Vonn, who had suffered from a concussion which occurred during training last week, finished with the silver medal, just .44 seconds behind Goergl. Riesch took the bronze in the event.

This was the first time in two years that someone other than Vonn or Riesch won the women’s downhill at a major world event. Riesch was just getting over the flu and was pleased with her finish.

After a win by Anna Fenninger on Friday in the super-combined event, the two wins by Goergl make for three golds for the Austrians so far at the games.