Swiss Olympic champions Lara Gut-Behrami and Corinne Suter placed fourth and fifth, respectively, and defending downhill World Cup champion Cornelia Huetter placed sixth. Jacqueline Wiles in seventh was the top American finisher.

Vonn, 0.58 seconds behind after starting 32nd of the 51 starters, raised her arms as if she had won after her exhilarating effort.

Sofia Goggia put on a speed ski masterclass in Saturday's World Cup downhill at Cortina d'Ampezzo, delighting fans with a typically fearless display on home snow as Lindsey Vonn had a disappointing run on one of her favourite pistes.