Stifel Copper Cup GS podium / GEPA pictures
A Third Olympic-Season Giant Slalom Test
The men return to the Birds of Prey for the third giant slalom of the 2026 World Cup and Olympic season. The race will be held on Sunday, December 7, giving the world’s best GS specialists a decisive early-season test on one of the most demanding surfaces on the circuit.
Beaver Creek arrives at a pivotal moment. Two GS races are already complete, the standings are tight, and the field is packed with early-season winners, consistent point scorers, and the reigning World Champion — all fighting for momentum before the Olympic break.
Men’s Giant Slalom Podiums — 2026 Season
| Race | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sölden | Marco Odermatt (SUI) | Marco Schwarz (AUT) | Atle Lie McGrath (NOR) |
| Copper Mountain | Stefan Brennsteiner (AUT) | Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) | Filip Zubčić (CRO) |
Top-10 GS Standings After Two Races
| Rank | Athlete | Nation | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stefan Brennsteiner | AUT | 150 |
| 2 | Marco Schwarz | AUT | 130 |
| 3 | Henrik Kristoffersen | NOR | 116 |
| 4 | Marco Odermatt | SUI | 100 |
| 5 | Alex Vinatzer | ITA | 77 |
| 6 | Filip Zubčić | CRO | 76 |
| 7 | Žan Kranjec | SLO | 69 |
| 8 | Atle Lie McGrath | NOR | 60 |
| 9 | Thibaut Favrot | FRA | 54 |
| 10 | Sam Maes | BEL | 47 |
Season Context
This is the third of seven World Cup giant slaloms before the Olympic break, and every race matters. Each result helps determine which athletes will earn Olympic GS starts in Bormio — and what start numbers they will carry into the Games. The field also gains another layer of pressure with Raphael Haaser (AUT), the reigning 2025 World Champion in giant slalom, who brings championship-level confidence into every run.
The schedule stays tight. The next GS takes place on December 13 in Val d’Isère, giving athletes little recovery time as the Olympic-season calendar accelerates.
North Americans
River Radamus is the only North American to qualify for the second run in both giant slaloms this season. The longtime leader of the U.S. men’s GS team opened with 21st in Sölden and pushed to 15th in Copper Mountain. Radamus grew up just 15 minutes from Beaver Creek, adding another layer of excitement as he chases his first top-10 of the Olympic season.
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team brings a full home-snow roster: Bridger Gile, another Colorado native, along with Ryder Sarchett, Isaiah Nelson, and Patrick Kenney. George Steffey, a former Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete now racing independently with Global Racing, completes the squad. All are aiming for a spot in the top 30 to earn a second run.
Canada starts Erik Read and Raphaël Lessard. Read remains one of North America’s most consistent GS skiers, having scored World Cup giant slalom points in 10 straight seasons and qualified for four World Cup giant slalom Finals. His 27th-place finish in Copper Mountain strengthened his chances of being selected for the Olympics. Lessard steps in after Liam Wallace injured his shoulder during the week and is sidelined. Lessard now gets the opportunity to test himself on a demanding GS track.
Course setters — First run: Mike Pircher (BRA) Second run: Peter Fill (ITA)
Men’s GS Race
The men’s giant slalom is set for Sunday, Dec. 7. Run one begins at 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT, followed by run two at 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT. Fans in Great Britain can tune in at 17:00 for the first run and 20:00 for the second.
How to Watch
United States: United States: Live coverage on Outside TV (free)
Canada: Stream on CBC Sports.
Great Britain: Stream on Discovery+
North Americans Racing: World Cup Start List — FIS Rank Shown if Outside Top 30 on WCSL
- River Radamus, WCSL 16th, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail
- Bridger Gile, WCSL 54th, FIS Rank 52nd, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, HEAD, Oakley
- Erik Read, WCSL,45th, FIS Rank 56th, World Racing Academy, Banff Alpine Racers, University of Denver, Atomic, SYNC
- Isaiah Nelson, FIS Rank 59th, Stifel USST, Buck Hill Ski Team, SHRED
- Ryder Sarchett, FIS Rank 62nd, Stifel USST, University of Colorado, Sun Valley Ski Academy, Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation
- George Steffey, FIS Rank 87th, USA independent, Global Racing, Stratton Mountain School, Marker/Völkl, SYNC
- Patrick Kenney, WCSL 43rd, FIS 88th, , Stifel USST, University of New Hampshire, Burke Moutain Academy, Marker/Völkl, SYNC, SHRED
- Raphael Lessard, FIS Rank 197, University of Utah, Club de Ski Bromont, HEAD
About the Author: Peter Lange
