Marco Odermatt Beaver Creek SG 2022: GEPA pictures
Who’s Racing, When to Watch, and How to Tune In
A Storied Course in Super-G History
The Birds of Prey super-G course at Beaver Creek Resort, Colorado, has been a cornerstone of men’s World Cup ski racing since its debut in December 1997. Inaugurated with a Native American blessing by tribal elder Red Ute, the course quickly established itself as one of the most challenging and iconic tracks in the sport. Designed by Swiss Olympic downhill champion Bernhard Russi for the 1999 World Championships, the venue has hosted 65 men’s World Cup races, ranking eighth all-time among World Cup venues.
Originally developed for the 1999 World Championships, Birds of Prey saw one of the sport’s most memorable moments when Norway’s Lasse Kjus and Austria’s Hermann Maier tied for the super-G World Championship title. This rare and historic achievement cemented the course’s reputation for dramatic and thrilling competition.
While multiple international stars have triumphed in the Birds of Prey super-G, no American has ever claimed a Beaver Creek victory in this discipline. Austria’s Hermann Maier, Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt, and Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt Kilde each have two World Cup super-G wins here. However, Austria’s Hannes Reichelt stands alone as the master of the Birds of Prey super-G, securing three World Cup victories and a World Championship title in 2015.
Today, Birds of Prey remains a cornerstone of the early December World Cup calendar, consistently attracting the world’s top racers to one of the most technically demanding super-G courses in Alpine skiing.
Beaver Creek Returns with Super-G Action
After a two-year hiatus, Birds of Prey is set to host its first World Cup super-G since 2022. Last year’s event was canceled due to challenging weather conditions, including heavy snow, high winds, and poor visibility. These disruptions forced the men’s speed circuit to begin in Val Gardena, Italy, with the first super-G of the season on December 15, 2023.
This year, the stakes are higher than ever. With only seven super-G races completed last season, every race is a crucial opportunity for athletes to secure valuable points. Beaver Creek’s return allows racers to showcase their skills on one of the most technical and demanding super-G courses in the world, pushing competitors to their limits and thrilling fans.
Recent Super-G Dominance at Beaver Creek
The last four super-G races held at Beaver Creek showcased a thrilling rivalry between Aleksander Aamodt Kilde and Marco Odermatt. Odermatt claimed victories in 2019 and 2021, while Kilde won back-to-back races in 2021 and 2022. The two consistently pushed each other to the limit, with Odermatt finishing second to Kilde in both 2021 and 2022, and Kilde taking the runner-up spot to Odermatt in 2019.
This season, however, that electrifying matchup will be absent. Kilde is still recovering from his crash in January 2024 at Wengen, leaving Odermatt to continue his dominance without his fiercest competitor. Fans will surely miss the intensity these two brought to the course, but the race promises to deliver new storylines and challenges as the next generation of racers steps up.
Nations Represented in the Top 15
The field at Beaver Creek remains fiercely competitive, showcasing a diverse lineup of top athletes. Switzerland leads the pack with four racers ranked among the top 15 on the World Cup Start List (WCSL). Austria, France, and Italy each bring three representatives, highlighting their depth and talent. Canada stands as the only other nation represented in the top 15, with two skiers ready to challenge the competition.
2024-25 Men’s World Cup super-G Start List
A Look Back: 2023-24 Super-G Highlights
The 2023-24 super-G season delivered thrilling performances, with seven races producing five winners from three countries. Each venue brought unique challenges, showcasing the sport’s excitement and unpredictability.
- Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT): Gröden SG and Kvitfjell SG
- Marco Odermatt (SUI): Bormio SG and Garmisch-Partenkirchen SG 2
- Cyprien Sarrazin (FRA): Wengen SG
- Nils Allegre (FRA): Garmisch-Partenkirchen SG 1
- Stefan Rogentin (SUI): Saalbach SG Finals
Vincent Kriechmayr opened the season with a commanding win in Gröden. Marco Odermatt followed with a decisive victory in Bormio, demonstrating his dominance. Cyprien Sarrazin shone in Wengen, claiming his super-G win of the season.
In Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Nils Allegre delivered a breakthrough victory in the first race, while Odermatt returned to win the second race and solidify his standing. Kriechmayr added another triumph in Kvitfjell, which was a stellar performance. Stefan Rogentin capped the season with his first career win in Saalbach, thrilling fans and marking himself as one to watch.
Fans now eagerly await the 2024-25 season, with Beaver Creek’s Birds of Prey promising unforgettable moments. The super-G takes center stage on Saturday, December 7, ensuring another chapter of spectacular racing.
Sixty-one athletes from 13 countries will compete in the Stifel Birds of Prey super-G on Saturday, Dec. 7.
North Americans on the Super-G World Cup Start List
The 2024-25 super-G season features a formidable group of 14 North American men on the World Cup Start List (WCSL). This talented contingent includes seven members of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, one independent racer, and six from Alpine Canada Alpin. Their collective depth and skill reflect North America’s rising strength in super-G. Several athletes bring podium potential to the season opener at Beaver Creek.
Canada’s James Crawford and Jeffrey Read lead the way for Alpine Canada Alpin. Both have established themselves as super-G stars, earning World Cup podiums. Crawford, the reigning super-G world champion, enters the season as a favorite, with Read adding consistency and experience to the team.
For the United States, Ryan Cochran-Siegle is the highest-ranked Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete on the WCSL. The Olympic silver medalist in super-G carries momentum and determination into the season and is poised to deliver strong results.
Four additional North Americans hold rankings within the top 30 on the super-G WCSL. Canada’s Cameron Alexander joins U.S. racers Jared Goldberg and River Radamus in this elite group, all aiming to capitalize on their opportunities and secure points at Beaver Creek.
Depth Across the North American Ranks
Beyond the top 30, eight other North Americans appear on the super-G WCSL, contributing to the region’s depth and future potential. The Stifel U.S. Ski Team is represented by Kyle Negomir, who grew up racing in the Vail Valley, alongside Sam Morse, Bryce Bennett, and Erik Arvidsson, who is making his return after missing all of last season due to injury. Independent racer Wiley Maple adds further experience to the U.S. roster.
For Alpine Canada Alpin, Riley Seger, Brodie Seger, and Kyle Alexander bolster the Canadian contingent. Together, this group of skiers rounds out the North American on the World Cup Start List skiing the Beaver Creek super-G, eager to challenge the field and make their mark as the season unfolds.
North Americans on the SG World Cup Start List (WCSL) points and rank
With its challenging terrain and storied history, Beaver Creek’s Birds of Prey promises thrilling races and intense competition. North America’s best will leave it all on the course on Saturday, December 7, as fans eagerly anticipate another unforgettable super-G showdown.
Bibs and Bios of North American Men Racing the Downhill
- Bib 5, James Crawford, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, HEAD
- Bib 10, Jeffrey Read, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, Atomic
- Bib 19, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Stifel USST, Mt Mansfield Ski Academy, Cochran’s Ski Club, HEAD
- Bib 20, Cameron Alexander, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club
- Bib 26, Jared Goldberg, Stifel USST, Snowbird Sports Educational Foundation
- Bib 29, River Radamus, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, SYNC Protection
- Bib ,23 Kyle Negomir, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Atomic
- Bib 21, Sam Morse, Stifel USST, Carrabassett Valley Academy, TOKO
- Bib 35, Bryce Bennett, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe
- Bib 37, Riley Seger, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Montana State University
- Bib 41, Kyle Alexander, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club
- Bib 45, Erik Arvidsson, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, Middlebury College, HEAD
- Bib 49, Wiley Maple, USA Independent, Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club, SYNC, Atomic, Oakley
- Bib 54, Brodie Seger, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Atomic, Oakley
How and When to Watch
The race starts at 12:30 p.m. Eastern and 9:30 a.m. Pacific time,
U.S. audiences can catch the Beaver Creek Birds of Prey Downhill live or on replay.
Watch live on Outside TV and on-demand at Peacock and Outside+. Peacock and NBC’s delayed broadcasts to start at 5:00 p.m. ET and 2:00 p.m. PT
Sports enthusiasts in Canada can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports.
Daily Program and Start List
Click the images to enlarge or download.
Start List
About the Author: Peter Lange
