Downhill is a form of alpine skiing competition. Whereas the other alpine skiing events emphasize turning and technique, downhill emphasizes "the six components of technique, courage, speed, risk, physical condition and judgement", according to the FIS "International Ski Competition Rules (ICR)". Speeds of up to 130 km/h (81 mph) are common in international competition. Athletes must have an aerodynamically efficient tuck position to minimize drag and increase speed.
Annemarie Moser-Pröll is a former World Cup alpine ski racer from Austria. Born in Kleinarl, Salzburg, she was the most successful female alpine ski racer during the 1970s, with six overall titles, including five consecutive. Moser-Pröll celebrated her biggest successes in downhill, giant slalom and combined races. In 1980, her last year as a competitor, she secured her third Olympic medal at Lake Placid and won five World Cup races. Her younger sister Cornelia Pröll is also a former Olympic alpine skier.
Alpine skiing at the 1972 Winter Olympics consisted of six events, held February 5–13 near Sapporo, Japan. The downhills were held at Mount Eniwa, and the four technical events at Teine.
The men's downhill of the 2006 Winter Olympics was held at Sestriere, Italy, on Sunday, 12 February.
The women's downhill of the 2006 Winter Olympics was held at San Sicario, Italy, on Wednesday, 15 February.
The women's super-G of the 2006 Winter Olympics was held at San Sicario, Italy, on Monday, 20 February; it was delayed a day due to poor weather conditions.
The Women's Downhill competition of the Sarajevo 1984 Olympics was held at Jahorina on Thursday, February 16. It was the tenth edition of the event, which was established in 1948.
The Men's Downhill competition of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics was held at Whistler Creekside in Whistler, British Columbia. The competition was scheduled for Saturday, February 13, but was postponed due to rain and warm temperatures; it was held on Monday, February 15.
The Women's Downhill competition of the Nagano 1998 Olympics was held at Happo-One at Hakuba on Monday, February 16. The race was delayed two days due to rain and fog.
The Men's Downhill competition of the Lillehammer 1994 Olympics was held at Kvitfjell on Sunday, 13 February.
The Women's Downhill competition of the Lillehammer 1994 Olympics was held at Kvitfjell on Saturday, 19 February.
The Men's Downhill competition of the Albertville 1992 Olympics was held at Val d'Isère on Sunday, 9 February.
The Men's downhill competition of the Calgary 1988 Olympics was held at the newly-developed Nakiska on Mount Allan on Monday, February 15.
The Women's Downhill competition of the Calgary 1988 Olympics was held at Nakiska on Friday, February 19. The race was delayed a day due to high winds on Thursday.
The Women's downhill competition of the Lake Placid 1980 Olympics was held at Whiteface Mountain on Sunday, February 17.
The Women's downhill competition of the Innsbruck 1976 Olympics was held at Axamer Lizum on Sunday, 8 February.
The Men's Downhill competition of the Sapporo 1972 Olympics was held at Mount Eniwa on Monday, February 7.
The Women's giant slalom competition of the Sapporo 1972 Olympics was held at Teine on Tuesday, February 8.
The Women's slalom competition of the 1972 Winter Olympics at Sapporo, Japan, was held at Teine on Friday, February 11.
The women's downhill competition of the Beijing 2022 Olympics was held on 15 February, on the "Rock" course at Yanqing National Alpine Ski Centre ski resort in Yanqing District. Corinne Suter of Switzerland, the reigning world champion, won the event, which was her first Olympic medal. Defending champion Sofia Goggia of Italy won silver, and Nadia Delago of Italy took bronze, also her first Olympic medal.
