Kriechmayr, Von Allmen, Monney Saalbach DH podium: GEPA pictures
Who’s Racing When and How to Watch
A New Challenge in Crans-Montana
For the first time, the men’s World Cup Downhill will take place on Crans-Montana’s legendary Nationale course. The 3,600-meter track will also serve as the downhill venue for the 2027 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, giving racers an early preview of what’s to come in two years.
With a demanding mix of high-speed gliding, sharp technical sections, and multiple jumps, the Nationale will test every skill in a downhill skier’s arsenal. Swiss downhill legend and Olympic champion Didier Défago, now CEO of the Crans-Montana 2027 Organizing Committee, describes it as a “real downhill” that requires strength, rhythm, and a fearless approach.
“You have to push hard, carry speed through the sidehill sections, and ski with all of your heart,” Défago said. “It’s very fast, with a lot of terrain and blind gates.”
The Course: Speed, Air, and Precision
The Nationale is an immediate challenge for racers. Out of the gate, they’ll immediately face a steep 40% gradient, leading into six or seven turns before launching off the Cassure de Cry d’Er Jump. The opening jump follows a long, sweeping left turn, where control and line selection will be critical.
After landing, skiers must quickly adjust through a fast left turn and a crucial long right-footer, where carrying momentum is key. The course continues with a series of three more major jumps, culminating in the Roger Moore Jump—named after the legendary James Bond actor, who once called Crans-Montana home.
With 969 meters of vertical drop and an estimated winning time around two minutes, the race will demand both endurance and split-second decision-making. The men have never raced this course, making every training run essential for learning its nuances beforehand.
The Newly Crowned World Champion
The men’s World Cup downhill in Crans-Montana marks the first race after the Saalbach 2025 World Championships, where a new champion emerged. Franjo Von Allmen, the 23-year-old Swiss rising star, claimed gold in his debut World Championships, securing his place among the sport’s elite.
Austrian veteran Vincent Kriechmayr, a five-time World Championship medalist, earned silver, adding another accolade to his decorated career. Switzerland’s Alexis Monney, competing in his second World Championships, took bronze, reinforcing the strength of the Swiss speed team. Now, just days after their podium performances, all three will line up for another high-speed test on home soil for Von Allmen and Monney.
Podium Winners This Season
Switzerland has dominated the 2024-25 season, with Marco Odermatt, Von Allmen, and Monney consistently leading the charge. However, Canada disrupted the streak in Kitzbühel, where James Crawford claimed victory on the sport’s most legendary downhill track, denying Switzerland another win.
Downhill Podiums So Far
| Race Venue | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Creek, Birds of Prey (USA) | Justin Murisier (SUI) | Marco Odermatt (SUI) | Miha Hrobat (SLO) |
| Val Gardena / Gröden, Saslong (ITA) | Marco Odermatt (SUI) | Franjo Von Allmen (SUI) | Ryan Cochran-Siegle (USA) |
| Bormio, Stelvio (ITA) | Alexis Monney (SUI) | Franjo Von Allmen (SUI) | Cameron Alexander (CAN) |
| Wengen, Lauberhorn (SUI) | Marco Odermatt (SUI) | Franjo Von Allmen (SUI) | Miha Hrobat (SLO) |
| Kitzbühel, Hahnenkamm (AUT) | James Crawford (CAN) | Alexis Monney (SUI) | Cameron Alexander (CAN) |
Crawford’s victory in Kitzbühel was more than just a win—it was a statement. Conquering the Hahnenkamm downhill cements a skier’s name in history, and his performance, along with Alexander’s third-place finish, delivered Canada one of its best downhill weekends in years.
With no races since Kitzbühel, the World Cup circuit now resumes in Crans-Montana, where Von Allmen, the newly crowned World Champion, will lead the Swiss charge on home soil. Can Switzerland continue its dominance, or will Canada and other challengers disrupt their momentum once again?
Downhill Standings: Swiss Strength, Global Competition
Switzerland continues to dominate the downhill standings, holding the top two spots and placing four athletes in the top 15. Canada, Slovenia, and the U.S. remain strong contenders, with multiple athletes in the mix. In total, six nations are represented in the top 15, showing a highly competitive field this season.
Top 15 Breakdown by Nation
- Switzerland – 4 athletes
- Canada – 2 athletes
- United States – 2 athletes
- Slovenia – 1 athlete
- Austria – 2 athletes
- Italy – 2 athletes
- France – 1 athlete
The Battle at the Top
Odermatt leads the standings, continuing his dominance with multiple podiums. Von Allmen sits in second, proving his consistency throughout the season. Miha Hrobat of Slovenia holds third place, keeping pressure on the Swiss duo.
Canada’s Cameron Alexander and James Crawford, both top-five ranked, are the biggest threats to Swiss control. Crawford’s Kitzbühel victory gave him a significant boost, while Alexander has quietly built a strong season but, unfortunately, will miss the Crans Montana race.
The Garmisch downhill was canceled due to fog, so the World Cup race in Crans-Montana will be the first test for the newly crowned World Champion, Von Allmen. The standings remain tight at the top, and every race will be crucial in the battle for the season title.
Current 2024-25 Men’s World Cup Top 15 Downhill Rankings
Fifty-four racers from 14 countries will compete in Crans-Montana on the Nationale course.
North American 2025 Contenders
Stifel U.S. Ski Team and Independent Racer Wiley Maple
Ryan Cochran-Siegle leads the U.S. downhill team, currently ranked ninth in the season-long downhill standings. He finished 13th in the World Championship downhill and remains the only U.S. downhiller to reach a podium this season.
Bryce Bennett follows closely, sitting 10th in the standings after placing 10th in the World Championship downhill. Sam Morse is the third-highest-ranked U.S. downhiller competing in Crans-Montana at 35th, while Jared Goldberg holds 39th among U.S. skiers with downhill points this season.
Additionally, Stifel U.S. Ski Team racers Kyle Negomir, Jack Smith, and independent Wiley Maple will compete in Crans-Montana, aiming to score their first World Cup downhill points of the season.
Alpine Canada Alpin
Unfortunately, sixth-ranked Alexander is sidelined for the rest of the season due to injury.
Alpine Canada Alpin’s Crawford follows closely at seventh in the standings. As the reigning Kitzbühel downhill champion, Crawford has cemented his status as a legend in the sport.
The only other Canadian with downhill points this season is Brodie Seger, who arrives in Crans-Montana ranked 19th.
Jeffrey Read will also start for Canada, aiming to earn his first downhill points of the season.
North Americans with 2025 World Cup Downhill Points
What to Watch For
With Crawford leading the charge, Canada remains a strong contender in men’s downhill. Crawford, the reigning Kitzbühel champion, continues to push the pace at the top level.
For the U.S., Cochran-Siegle and Bennett sit inside the top 10 of the downhill standings, keeping the American squad in the fight. Meanwhile, Switzerland’s deep roster of downhill specialists maintains its position as the standard-bearer, with multiple podium threats in every race.
Crans-Montana also offers racers their first look at the 2027 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships downhill track, making this weekend’s race a crucial test. As the season progresses, North American athletes will aim to challenge Swiss dominance and add to their podium totals—with every race serving as preparation for even bigger battles ahead.
North American Men Racing the Downhill
- Bib 3, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Stifel USST, Mt Mansfield Ski Academy, Cochran’s Ski Club, HEAD
- Bib 8, Bryce Bennett, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe
- Bib 14, James Crawford, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, HEAD
- Bib 27, Sam Morse, Stifel USST, Carrabassett Valley Academy, TOKO
- Bib 28, Brodie Seger, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Atomic
- Bib 32, Jared Goldberg, Stifel USST, Snowbird Sports Educational Foundation
- Bib 31, Jeffrey Read, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, Atomic
- Bib 36,Kyle Negomir, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Atomic
- Bib 38, Wiley Maple, USA Independent, Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club, SYNC, Atomic, Oakley
- Bib 52, Jack Smith, Stifel USST, Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation
How and When to Watch
The race starts at 4:00 a.m. Eastern and 1:00 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 Start List
Click the images to enlarge or download.
Start List
About the Author: Peter Lange
