Downhill, Women

Switzerland’s Ida Schöpfer was World Champion in 1954 in the downhill and combined but she had retired by the time of the Cortina Winter Olympics. This left the favorite’s role to her teammate, Madeleine Berthod, who had won two silvers at the Bad Gastein Worlds in 1954. Canada’s Lucille Wheeler was the third starter and her time of 1:45.9 was leading as Berthod entered the start gate. Berthod shattered Wheeler’s mark, finishing in 1:40.7, and was never challenged, as only Swiss teammate Frieda Dänzer came within five seconds of her time to win silver. Berthod’s winning margin of 4.7 seconds is the largest ever by a woman in Olympic Alpine history. Wheeler’s time comfortably held on for the bronze medal.