Within four days, Emma Aicher wins a downhill and is on the podium in the slalom. Germany once again has a strong all-rounder who even amazes ski stars like Lindsey Vonn.
On Saturday, Emma Aicher sensationally celebrated her second downhill victory ever in St. Moritz. Three days later, the 22-year-old was celebrating again: She came third in the slalom in Courchevel. The German high-flyer thus confirmed that she is now one of the world’s best not only in the two speed disciplines of downhill and super-G, but also in slalom. After third place in Levi, third place in Courchevel on Tuesday evening is already her second podium in the slalom this World Cup winter.
US ski star Lindsey Vonn raves about Emma Aicher
Emma Aicher is no longer just the first German all-rounder since Maria Höfl-Riesch, but also the first German all-rounder since Höfl-Riesch who can also be at the forefront in speed and technical races. This makes the international ski elite sit up and take notice. “We are now seen again as the German women’s ski team, in international skiing,” explains DSV women’s head coach Andreas Puelacher on the sidelines of the World Cup in St. Moritz.
Then the American Lindsey Vonn raves about 22-year-old Emma Aicher, who had recently snatched her second World Cup victory of the season from her: “Yes, it’s amazing. She has such a super light touch on the skis. She doesn’t make a mistake. She has an amazing feeling.”
No time for training
She also needs this feeling, because training between races is no longer an option given Aicher’s schedule. This makes her success in speed and technical races all the more remarkable. “She’s a cool girl in the race. That’s her strength: staying calm, following through with her plan and then delivering,” is how Puelacher explains Aicher’s success.
On Sunday, the 22-year-old was still competing in the Super-G in St. Moritz, fell after just a few goals and missed the next sensation. After just one day off, she started again in the slalom in Courchevel on Tuesday. When driving in, Aicher said after the race, she didn’t feel quite as good on the short skis.
But there was no more of that to be seen in the competition. She grabbed the nearest podium. “Sensational. That’s really big,” enthused BR expert Felix Neureuther. Aicher herself wasn’t even entirely satisfied with her skiing: “I don’t know, I kind of just skied. But I think I started quite well. Skiing is going in the right direction right now.”
Aicher: “What else should I do besides skiing?”
In mid-December, Aicher had already completed eleven World Cup races and was in Austria, Finland, Austria again, the USA, Canada, Switzerland and France. Still, there’s no sign of exhaustion or tiredness and that’s a good thing, because there’s no break in sight for the 22-year-old: “I’m going to Val d’Isère on Wednesday and then it’s back to speed at the weekend.”
For most people that probably sounds like stress, like too many appointments, but not for Emma Aicher, who just has fun and wants to ski: “What else should I do besides skiing?”
In the video: Courchevel night slalom – the 2nd run in the re-live
Source: Blickpunkt Sport December 16, 2025 – 8:15 p.m
