Tommy Ford and Team celebrating Beaver Creek: GEPA pictures
Beaver Creek Men’s World Cup GS: Who’s Racing, When, and How to Watch
Men’s GS Season Opens with Surprises
The men’s Giant Slalom (GS) season began as planned on Oct. 27 in Sölden, Austria, delivering unexpected results. Marco Odermatt, who dominated the 2023-24 season by winning every GS except the finale at the Saalbach World Cup finals, failed to finish the first run. This surprising turn of events allowed for a historic Norwegian sweep of the podium.
Norwegian Sweep Highlights New Talent
Alexander Steen Olsen, a rising 23-year-old, claimed his first GS victory in a standout performance. He narrowly defeated his experienced teammate Henrik Kristoffersen, who secured second place. Atle Lie McGrath, also 24, completed the Norwegian sweep, showcasing the nation’s impressive depth in GS talent.
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen Returns with a Statement
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen delivered one of the day’s most inspiring performances. Formerly competing for Norway, the 24-year-old now represents Brazil after stepping away last season due to disputes with the Norwegian Federation. Starting with bib 41, Braathen surged to an impressive fourth-place finish. Despite his new national affiliation, his Norwegian roots were unmistakable.
Marco Odermatt Remains the Favorite
Although Odermatt did not finish in Sölden, he remains the overwhelming favorite to win in Beaver Creek. His dominance last season and remarkable consistency make him the skier to beat on the Birds of Prey course.
Loïc Meillard’s Impact on the GS Circuit
During the 2023-24 season, Odermatt’s dominance in GS events was broken only once—by his Swiss teammate Loïc Meillard at the Saalbach World Cup finals.
Setback in Sölden
Meillard faced adversity at the Sölden opener, sustaining a back injury during warmups. The tear in the sheath of the intervertebral disc between vertebrae L5 and S1 forced him to sit out the race.
Return to Competition
Despite his injury, Meillard is back in action and ready to compete in Beaver Creek. With his resilience and proven track record, he is expected to be a major contender in the GS field.
Beaver Creek GS Returns After Four Years
The Birds of Prey Giant Slalom (GS) returns to Beaver Creek for the first time since Dec. 8, 2019. Among the Sölden GS podium finishers, only Henrik Kristoffersen competed in the last Beaver Creek GS.
Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Tommy Ford’s Memorable Victory
In 2019, Tommy Ford of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team claimed a historic victory at Beaver Creek. He remains the last U.S. man to win a World Cup GS, cementing his place in Birds of Prey history. Kristoffersen finished second, followed by retired Norwegian skier Leif Nestvold-Haugen.
Denver Connection on the Podium
Nestvold-Haugen added a local connection to the 2019 podium. As a graduate of the University of Denver, located just two hours from Beaver Creek, he exemplified the link between collegiate skiing and World Cup success.
Top 15 Men’s 2014-15 GS World Cup Rank
The Norwegians dominated the top 15, placing four athletes, including the top three. Austria, Switzerland, and Italy each contribute two, while Brazil, Slovenia, the United States, Belgium, and France each have one athlete in the top 15.
Sixty-two men from 21 nations will start the men’s World Cup GS in Beaver Creek on Dec. 8, with Switzerland leading the field with eight qualified athletes on the start list.
Romain Velez (FRA) will set the first run, and Hannes Wallner (AUT) will set the second run.
Ted Ligety: The King of Beaver Creek
Ted Ligety, a Stifel U.S. Ski Team legend and now a leader at the ski equipment company SHRED, holds the title of king of the Birds of Prey Giant Slalom (GS). Ligety won a Beaver Creek GS in five consecutive seasons from 2010 to 2014, though his victories in 2011 included a first and second place in two separate GS races. His dominance during this period remains unmatched.
Beaver Creek Podium Dominance
Over his career, Ligety secured an incredible eight GS podiums at Beaver Creek. His talent wasn’t confined to GS—he also placed second in the 2015 super-G and third in the 2005 slalom, showcasing his all-around excellence.
A Lasting Legacy
Ligety’s record at Beaver Creek solidifies his reputation as one of the greatest ski racers in World Cup history. Now shaping the sport through his work with SHRED, Ligety’s influence continues to inspire future generations.
U.S. Racers to Watch
Radamus Leads the Charge
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team brings a strong lineup to Beaver Creek, led by River Radamus. Ranked 11th on the World Cup Start List (WCSL), Radamus is the team’s GS leader and a hometown favorite, hailing from Edwards, just minutes away. Last season, he secured his first World Cup podium in Palisades Tahoe and started this season with a solid 11th-place finish in Sölden. With both parents working in ski racing, Radamus carries deep ties to the sport and the local community, making him a key contender.
Ford Brings Experience
Veteran Tommy Ford, ranked 28th on the WCSL, adds valuable experience to the squad. Ford remains the only active U.S. male skier to have won a World Cup GS race, achieving this milestone at Beaver Creek in 2019. After a challenging season last year, he opened this season with a 21st-place finish in Sölden. Ford will rely on his experience and familiarity with the Birds of Prey course as he works to return to peak form.
Kenney Looks to Build Momentum
Patrick Kenney, an independent racer with the Global Racing Team, will also compete. Ranked 54th on the WCSL, Kenney scored World Cup points last season, standing out among his peers. A former University of New Hampshire skier, he brings a blend of collegiate and World Cup experience but will need a strong performance to move up the rankings.
Nelson and Gile Seek Breakthrough
Isaiah Nelson and Bridger Gile, both members of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, add depth to the roster. Nelson, a product of the Buck Hill Ski Team, and Gile, originally from Aspen and a former member of Ski & Snowboard Club Vail, bring World Cup experience but are still looking to score their first World Cup points.
Sarchett Ready to Shine
Twenty-one-year-old Ryder Sarchett completes the U.S. lineup. Sarchett won the Giant Slalom at the Junior World Championships last season, which qualified him for the Saalbach World Cup Finals. Originally from Sun Valley, Sarchett attended the University of Colorado and knows Colorado snow well. He has also trained with the World Cup team at Copper, giving him valuable preparation heading into his second World Cup race.
With a mix of seasoned leaders and emerging talent, the U.S. squad is poised to make an impact in Beaver Creek.
North American Men Racing on the World Cup GS Start List
Canadian Independent Contenders
Three Canadian athletes will represent their country in the Giant Slalom (GS) at Beaver Creek: two independents and one from Alpine Canada Alpin.
Independent skier Erik Read, affiliated with the World Racing Academy, brings veteran leadership to the team. Despite recent challenges, he has qualified for four consecutive GS World Cup finals and is ranked 36th on the World Cup Start List. However, being outside the top 30, he will start based on his FIS points. A University of Denver alumnus and former ski team member, Read has strong ties to Colorado.
Jaime Casselman, another independent racer with the World Racing Academy, is a member of the Montana State University Bobcats and a strong contender.
Representing Alpine Canada Alpin is Riley Seger, a Montana State University graduate. Seger has scored six times in Super-G events and has shown promise in his 17 World Cup GS starts. He achieved a career-best 10th place in the Super-G at the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup in Aspen.
These athletes aim to leverage their World Cup and collegiate experience to overcome challenging start positions and make a significant impact in Beaver Creek.
North American men racing GS in Sölden
- Bib 10, River Radamus, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, SYNC Protection
- Bib 21, Tommy Ford, Stifel USST, Mount Bachelor Sports Education Foundation, HEAD
- Bib 45, Patrick Kenney, USA, Global Racing, University of New Hampshire, Burke Moutain Academy, Marker/Völkl, SYNC, SHRED
- Bib 48, Isaiah Nelson, Stifel USST, Buck Hill Ski Team, SHRED
- Bib 52, Bridger Gile, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, HEAD, Oakley
- Bib 55, Riley Seger, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Montana State University
- Bib 56, Erik Read, CAN World Racing Academy, Banff Alpine Racers, University of Denver, Atomic
- Bib 58, Jamie Casselman, CAN Montana State University, Team Panorama
- Bib 59, Ryder Sarchett, Stifel USST, University of Colorado, Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation
How and When to Watch
The first run starts at 12:00 p.m. Eastern and 9:00 a.m. Pacific time, with the second run following at 3:00 p.m. Eastern and 12:00 p.m. Pacific.
U.S. audiences can watch the race live on Outside TV and on-demand at Outside+.
Sports enthusiasts in Canada can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports.
Daily Program and First Run Start List
Click images to enlarge or download
Start List
About the Author: Peter Lange
