Rising Italian Star Pirovano Clinches Downhill Globe, Aicher Gains on Shiffrin

Italy's Laura Pirovano claimed the women's downhill World Cup title with victory in Lillehammer on Saturday, as Emma Aicher closed the gap on leader Mikaela Shiffrin in the overall standings.

The 28-year-old Pirovano had never even finished on a World Cup podium until earlier this month, but her recent surge of form culminated in the downhill globe, her first major title. Pirovano's victory came in the final downhill race of the season, continuing her impressive late-season run.