Lindsey Vonn vs. Emma Aicher Prediction on February 8, 2026

Match info

The Olympic women’s downhill is alpine skiing’s purest speed test — a one-run battle where bravery, precision, and split-second decisions decide medals. It’s one of the Games’ most iconic races, and predicting outcomes often requires considering not just season form but course conditions and athlete health.

For context and seasonal insights ahead of this and other Olympic events, we recommend that fans and analysts refer to a comparative review of the best betting sites for the 2026 Winter Olympics—a resource for event outlooks and bookmaker ratings that doesn’t direct users to place specific bets.

This downhill often defines the season’s speed narrative, and in Milano Cortina 2026, the field blends rising talents with seasoned champions. It will start on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 11:30 Central European Time (CET, local time). Morning starts help ensure the snow stays firm and fair for all starters.

The venue is Olimpia delle Tofane (Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre) course in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. This classic downhill venue combines steep gradients, rhythm changes, and demanding transitions that reward both aggressive speed and smooth balance. The layout challenges racers to find maximum speed while navigating tricky compression zones with precision. Based on the 2025-26 World Cup women’s downhill standings and results, the gold medal picture is shaped by two standout names.

Meeting statistics

Current form and & playstyle: Lindsey Vonn

An American skier has been the standout performer this season, winning multiple World Cup downhill races and posting a string of podiums that have put her at the top of the downhill standings. Her style — a classic blend of powerful aerodynamic tucks and fearless edge commitment — has made her the season’s most consistent downhill racer and positioned her as an Olympic favorite.

However, just one week before the Olympics, Vonn crashed in the final World Cup downhill at Crans-Montana, Switzerland, injuring her left knee and being airlifted for evaluation. The incident — in which she lost control after landing a jump and collided with safety netting — has raised questions about her status for the Games. While Vonn insists her “Olympic dream is not over” and hopes to compete, the injury cloud makes a cautious prediction difficult.

Current form & playstyle: Emma Aicher  

Behind her in the discipline standings is Emma Aicher, whose high-pace style combines smooth acceleration and technical downhill balance.

The German skier’s consistent top results this season show she can carry speed through the flatter sections and maintain composure on challenging terrain — a profile that suits

Olimpia delle Tofane’s mix of pitch and technical rhythm.

Note: For bettors with a taste for surprise potential, Sofia Goggia remains the classic dark horse. An Italian skier has a history of explosively fast downhill performances when her line and commitment come together, and on a day when favorites falter, or conditions shift, she’s capable of jumping into medal position with a strong, aggressive run.

Head-to-head

Looking at head-to-head form:

Vonn has led the World Cup discipline and delivered the most wins and podiums this season, but her recent crash introduces uncertainty regarding her ability to ski at full capacity in Cortina.
Aicher offers a blend of speed and consistency that makes her a logical challenger if Vonn’s status remains in question.

This head-to-head dynamic suggests that the podium will be wide open if Vonn is limited — and if she competes fully fit, her experience and sheer speed keep her in the mix despite the injury concern.

Match analytics

Given Vonn’s season dominance but recent injury scare, Emma Aicher emerges as a strong gold medal favorite — especially if Vonn’s start status remains uncertain or she competes with any physical limitation. If Vonn is fully cleared and competitive on race day, she still has the pedigree and speed to challenge for a medal, but her injury introduces risk that slightly tempers her outright chance.

As always, final decisions should take into account last-minute starter announcements, official training run feedback, and weather conditions on race day.

Tip: Emma Aicher – Winner (look at TOPsport for odds).

Note: For now, there are no odds for women’s downhill at Milano Cortina 2026, as bookies are still determining markets following the recent conclusion of the 2026 FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup race in Crans-Montana.