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Adelboden World Cup GS 2025: Men’s World Cup GS: Who’s Racing, When, and How to Watch
Adelboden GS Preview: A Test of Skill and Tradition
The Men’s World Cup Giant Slalom heads to the iconic Chuenisbärgli in Adelboden, Switzerland, on Dec. 12, 2025. This highly anticipated race is the first Men’s GS of 2025, the fifth of nine on the 2024-25 calendar, and a crucial step toward qualifying for February’s World Championships in Saalbach, Austria. Known for its steep gradients, blind turns, and an electric atmosphere fueled by cowbell-ringing fans, Adelboden promises an unforgettable showcase of skill and athleticism.
A Historic Venue
Adelboden has hosted World Cup races since 1967, making it one of the circuit’s most enduring venues. Traditionally held in early January, the event now kicks off the Men’s GS calendar for 2025. The race features the giant slalom on Saturday, followed by the slalom on Sunday. Its rich history and tradition make it a cornerstone of the alpine skiing season.
The Chuenisbärgli: A Unique Challenge
The Chuenisbärgli is one of the most difficult giant slalom courses in the world. The slope features steep sections at the start and finish, a challenging 10% gradient at a key point, and a maximum slope of 60%. Skiers must tackle undulating terrain in the first third of the course, demanding powerful and precise technique.
The middle section includes a notorious blind turn over terrain that tests even the most seasoned racers. Navigating this feature requires exceptional skill, making it the most challenging part of the course. The excited crowd filling the finish arena, cowbells clanging intensely, pushes skiers to deliver their best.
Last Season’s Adelboden GS Performances
Last season’s Adelboden GS race delivered a thrilling competition, with Marco Odermatt taking a decisive victory on home soil. Aleksander Aamodt Kilde of Norway finished 2nd, while Croatia’s Filip Zubčić claimed 3rd. Kilde, however, will not compete this season as he continues to recover from injuries sustained in Wengen last January.
Two Stifel U.S. Ski Team racers finished in the points last season. River Radamus delivered one of the best results of his career, finishing fourth and narrowly missing the podium. His intense skiing highlighted his ability to compete on one of the most technical courses on the circuit. Tommy Ford also made a solid showing, placing 17th. Both athletes return this year hoping to build on those performances.
Early-Season GS Podium Recap
The first four GS races of the season have delivered intense competition and shifting dynamics:
- Sölden, Austria: Norway swept the podium with Alexander Steen Olsen in 1st, Henrik Kristoffersen 2nd, and Atle Lie McGrath 3rd.
- Beaver Creek, USA: Switzerland’s Thomas Tumler claimed his first World Cup win, followed by Lucas Pinheiro Braathen of Brazil in 2nd and Žan Kranjec of Slovenia in 3rd.
- Val d’Isère, France: Marco Odermatt dominated, with Austria’s Patrick Feurstein in 2nd and Stefan Brennsteiner in 3rd.
- Alta Badia, Italy: Odermatt secured another victory, France’s Léo Anguenot finished 2nd, and Steen Olsen claimed 3rd.
Marco Odermatt’s Determined Comeback
Odermatt, widely regarded as the most dominant skier of his generation, silenced doubts with commanding victories in Val d’Isère and Alta Badia. After a surprising string of three DNFs in GS, Odermatt’s wins showcased his resilience under challenging second-run conditions.
With renewed momentum, fresh off his third World Cup downhill victory, Odermatt returns to Alta Badia, where he has triumphed four times. As the defending overall champion, his performance will be pivotal in reasserting his dominance in the giant slalom standings.
Who to Watch for the Podium
Odermatt leads the charge as the favorite. The Swiss star, widely regarded as the best GS skier of his generation, comes into Adelboden after back-to-back GS victories. With a home crowd cheering him on, Odermatt is poised to extend his dominance on the Chuenisbärgli, where he won last season.
Norway’s Alexander Steen Olsen and Henrik Kristoffersen, both consistent podium threats this season, will aim to challenge Odermatt. France’s Leo Anguenot, who claimed a surprise 2nd place in Alta Badia, also looks to continue his momentum. Other top contenders include Austria’s Patrik Feuerstein and Stefan Brennsteiner, as well as Slovenia’s Žan Kranjec, all of whom have shown strong form on technical courses this year.
Top 15 Men’s 2014-25 GS World Cup Standings
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These standings highlight the depth and global reach of giant slalom racing, showcasing intense competition as the season moves to Adelboden. Nine nations are represented in the top 15 of the season standings, with Norway leading the way with four athletes.
Seventy-one men from 22 nations are set to compete in the Men’s World Cup Giant Slalom in Adelboden on Jan. 11. Switzerland and Austria top the entries, each fielding eight qualified athletes.
B. Brunner (GER) set the first run, and M. Kroisleitner (AUT) will set the second run.
Radamus Leads the U.S. Charge
Radamus has recently been North America’s most consistent GS skier. The Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete placed 11th in Sölden, 7th in Beaver Creek, 17th in Val d’Isère, and 15th in Alta Badia. Radamus also impressed in last year’s Adelboden race, finishing 4th. He will aim to build on that momentum and push for another top result.
Other U.S. Skiers Seek Breakthroughs
Tommy Ford, the only active U.S. man with a World Cup GS victory, is eager to improve his 17th-place finish in last year’s Adelboden GS. Both aiming for their first World Cup points, Bridger Gile and Isaiah Nelson look to make a breakthrough on this challenging course. Patrick Kenney, who qualified for the second run in Beaver Creek but did not finish, hopes to complete both runs in Adelboden and secure his first points of the 2024-25 season.
2024-25 North American Men’s World Cup GS Rankings
Canada’s Depth in Adelboden
Veteran Erik Read leads the Canadian roster after scoring his first points of the season with a 20th-place finish in Alta Badia. Read has extensive experience on the Chuenisbärgli, scoring in five of his GS starts here. Liam Wallace and Jordan Asher will join him. Despite 29 World Cup starts, Wallace is still chasing his first points, while Asher scored a career-best 20th in Kranjska Gora in 2023.
North American men racing GS
- Bib 14, River Radamus, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, SYNC Shields
- Bib 25, Tommy Ford, Stifel USST, Mount Bachelor Sports Education Foundation, HEAD
- Bib 41, Patrick Kenney, USA, Global Racing, University of New Hampshire, Burke Moutain Academy, Marker/Völkl, SYNC, SHRED
- Bib 46, Isaiah Nelson, Stifel USST, Buck Hill Ski Team, SHRED
- Bib 54, Liam Wallace, ACA, Sunshine Alpine Racers, University of Alaska Anchorage, SHRED
- Bib 58, Bridger Gile, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, HEAD, Oakley, SYNC Shields
- Bib 63, Erik Read, CAN World Racing Academy, Banff Alpine Racers, University of Denver, Atomic
- Bib 69, Asher Jordan, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Atomic
How and When to Watch
The first run starts at 4:30 a.m. Eastern and 1:30 a.m. Pacific Time, followed by the second run at 7:30 a.m. Eastern and 4:30 a.m. Pacific Time.
U.S. audiences can watch the race live or as a replay on Ski And Snowboard Live.
Sports enthusiasts in Canada can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports.
Daily Program and First Run Start List
Start List
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About the Author: Peter Lange
