Emma Aicher, a 21-year-old German skier, achieved her first World Cup victory in Kvitfjell, Norway, following a second-place finish the previous day. Overcoming initial surprise, Aicher celebrated her win, finishing just 0.03 seconds ahead of Lauren Macuga. This victory marks the first for the German Ski Association in Alpine skiing this winter and the first for women in nearly two years. Aicher, a promising talent, has previously earned medals at the World Championships and the Olympics.
Emma Aicher’s Historic Win in Kvitfjell
Emma Aicher is making waves in the ski world: the talented German skier clinched her inaugural World Cup victory during the second downhill event in Kvitfjell, Norway. At just 21 years old, Aicher had already made a mark by finishing second the day before, marking her debut on the World Cup podium.
A Moment of Joy and Surprise
Initially, Aicher appeared taken aback by her achievement, but soon her joy was palpable as she realized she had clocked the best time. As she settled into the leader’s chair and shared light-hearted moments with her fellow competitors, the reality of her first World Cup win began to sink in. “I am very surprised,” she stated, adding that it didn’t feel as exhilarating as her performance the previous day, yet it was still “mega.” Despite her radiant smile at the finish line, there was a hint of disbelief on her face.
The day before, Aicher had celebrated her first podium finish in the World Cup, taking second place on the Olympic slope in Kvitfjell. Just 24 hours later, she soared to victory, demonstrating exceptional skiing technique, particularly in the lower section of the course. She narrowly edged out Lauren Macuga from the USA by 0.03 seconds, while the previous day’s victor, Cornelia Hütter from Austria, secured third place. Remarkably, prior to the races in Kvitfjell, Aicher had yet to earn any downhill points in the World Cup this season.
Kira Weidle-Winkelmann praised her teammate, stating, “Incredible, you can only be inspired by that and go into the day with the same ease.” Weidle-Winkelmann experienced a fall on the same Olympic slope but reassured everyone that she was okay, despite feeling a bit stiff and bruised.
Aicher’s victory is a significant milestone, especially since the last German woman to win a World Cup downhill event was Viktoria Rebensburg in February 2020. This win marks the first for the German Ski Association in Alpine skiing this winter and the first for women in nearly two years.
Many competitors took the time to congratulate Aicher, who had trailed behind Macuga’s intermediate times, a World Championship bronze medalist in Super-G. However, Aicher excelled in the fifth and final sector, where many skiers who had been faster earlier in the race lost valuable time in the closing moments. “I think I hit the spots well where you can carry speed,” she reflected on her performance.
Excitement surrounded Aicher’s triumph, with German coaches celebrating enthusiastically at the edge of the slope. Competitors rushed to congratulate her, including a joyful Macuga, who celebrated Aicher’s victory. “It’s nice that many are happy for me,” Aicher shared, revealing that she had often heard her win was merely “a matter of time.”
As a versatile athlete competing in both speed and technical events, Aicher is regarded as one of the most promising Alpine talents in the German Ski Association. In 2021, she earned World Championship bronze alongside the German team in Cortina d’Ampezzo, and the following year, she secured Olympic silver with her team in Beijing. At this year’s World Championship in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Aicher also showcased her talent by finishing sixth in both Super-G and downhill.