Austrian ski racer Venier wins women's world super-G

Austrian skier Stephanie Venier has given her home fans plenty to cheer as she became the first individual winner at the Alpine skiing world championships, racing to the women's super-G crown in Saalbach.

Federica Brignone, of Italy, finished 0.10 seconds behind to take the silver medal on Thursday while Lauren Macuga of the United States and Kajsa Vickhoff Lie of Norway shared bronze, 0.24 off the lead.

Returning US superstar Lindsey Vonn hooked a gate with her right arm early in her run and did not finish in her first appearance at the worlds in six years.

She avoided falling and was able to stop, but then grasped her arm in apparent pain.

The gate pressed on her forearm, locked her elbow by her side and pushed the whole arm back with pressure on her shoulder.

Spectators in the area let out a collective gasp of astonishment and grew silent with concern. Vonn skied down to the finish and waved to the crowd.

Vonn retired in 2019 after winning bronze in downhill in Are, Sweden, following several injuries, but returned to the circuit this season with a new titanium right knee.

The race started in mostly sunny conditions, but more clouds came in after the first half hour. More parts of the course were in the shadow when Vonn started in 30th position.

Venier was the 2013 junior world champion in super-G but a silver in downhill from the 2017 worlds was her only medal in a senior race before Thursday's triumph.

"It sounds unreal. I slept so bad last night, I was so nervous," Venier told Austrian TV.

"I was extremely nervous at the start, I didn't know how to handle, but it was probably a good omen."

Venier has three career World Cup wins, including one in a super-G in Switzerland a year ago.

Thursday's opening race at the worlds took place exactly one year before the 2026 opening ceremony for the Milan-Cortina Olympics.