Austrian Duo Stuns in Stifel Sun Valley Super-G as Feurstein Claims First Career Win
Challenger course delivers drama, Odermatt off the pace, North Americans struggle in World Cup Finals
Feurstein earns breakthrough win on new World Cup stage
Austria’s Lukas Feurstein powered to his first career World Cup victory Sunday, mastering Sun Valley’s recently built Challenger course in 1:10.96 to win the Stifel Sun Valley World Cup Finals men’s super-G. It was the first men’s World Cup race held at the Idaho resort since 1977—and the first speed event ever contested there.
Feurstein had only one prior super-G podium, finishing third earlier this season in Beaver Creek. On Sunday, he was confident, fast, and clean through all four sectors, setting a time that no one could match.
His teammate, reigning giant slalom world champion Raphael Haaser, put down a strong run from bib 10 to claim second place—securing Austria’s first 1-2 finish this season. Haaser had already collected four World Cup super-G podiums, including second in Kitzbühel, and also took silver in the 2025 World Championship super-G.
Switzerland’s Franjo von Allmen rounded out the podium in third. The 22-year-old rising star, who won earlier this season in Wengen, showed courage and control on a difficult track to earn his third career World Cup super-G podium.
? Podium – Stifel Sun Valley World Cup Finals men’s super-G
- 1st Lukas Feurstein (AUT) – 1:10.96
First career World Cup win; second super-G podium of the season. - 2nd Raphael Haaser (AUT) – +0.19
Reigning GS World Champion; fifth World Cup super-G podium. - 3rd Franjo von Allmen (SUI) – +0.42
Second super-G podium of the season; winner in Wengen.
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Feurstein on his first World Cup win and a wild ride on Challenger
After earning his first World Cup victory, Austria’s Lukas Feurstein credited his technical skill and all-out effort for a dream run on Sun Valley’s demanding new course.
“Today was really challenging—the light was dark from top to bottom and the slope was bumpy after the women’s race, but I pushed as hard as I could and managed it pretty well,” Feurstein said. “I think my strengths as a technical skier helped on a course like this. It just feels amazing—first podium in the U.S., first victory in the U.S.—now it’s time to party.”
Haaser embraces technical challenge in Sun Valley
Reigning giant slalom world champion Raphael Haaser delivered another big-stage performance, finishing second and helping Austria secure a dominant 1-2 result on a demanding new track.
“I really liked the Challenger course—it was turny from top to bottom, almost like a giant slalom, and that seemed to suit us Austrian guys pretty well,” Haaser said. “It’s my first time in Sun Valley, but I’ve really enjoyed it. I hope we come back.”
Von Allmen on the course, the moment, and an unforgettable season
Switzerland’s Franjo von Allmen delivered another standout result with his third career World Cup super-G podium. After finishing third behind the Austrian duo, he shared his reaction to the wild new course and a breakthrough season.
“It was a hell of a ride—definitely not a normal men’s super-G,” von Allmen said of Sun Valley’s Challenger track. “At first, during inspection, I thought, ‘What is this?’ But I had to reset my mindset, and in the end, I was just happy to race something totally new.”
It’s been a breakout winter for the 22-year-old, the downhill World Champion who now has two super-G podiums—including a win in Wengen—and looks firmly established among the sport’s rising stars.
“It’s only my second full World Cup season, and you can’t dream of results like these,” he said. “Now it’s time to enjoy the moment and then get ready for what’s next.”
Odermatt off the podium as Challenger shakes things up
Switzerland’s reigning super-G World Champion Marco Odermatt, the pre-race favorite and most dominant skier of the past two seasons, started his run behind and never found his usual pace. He bled time in every sector of the course and finished fifth, +0.96 behind Feurstein.
Despite the result, Odermatt had already clinched the super-G globe before arriving in Sun Valley. With his fifth-place finish, he capped off a season in which he locked up the downhill, super-G, giant slalom, and overall titles—his second straight sweep of those four crystal globes.
Odermatt reflects on title, discipline, and emotion
Marco Odermatt may have finished fifth on the day, but the moment still carried weight. With the season’s super-G title already secured, the Swiss star celebrated another crystal globe in Sun Valley, adding to his dominant collection.
“It’s always a very special moment to receive the globe,” Odermatt said. “Today wasn’t my best race of the season, but I tried to bring back all the emotion from the year and just enjoy it.”
The 26-year-old has made super-G one of his strongest weapons. When asked what he enjoys most about the event, he said it’s the unique blend of challenges.
“Super-G is such a unique challenge. It’s never the same. There’s speed, tactics, and you need to ski technically well while really pushing,” he said. “That mix between downhill and giant slalom is what makes it so special.”
Odermatt said he’s not thinking ahead to next season just yet. First, he plans to enjoy the moment, then take a well-earned break.
Challenger course lives up to its name
Built specifically for the World Cup, Sun Valley’s Challenger course made its men’s World Cup debut Sunday and proved to be one of the most demanding layouts of the season. Of 24 starters, the best in the World, only 17 finished—a 29% DNF rate.
The course offered little rhythm and required fast, courageous skiing with excellent timing to stay on line. Several strong names—including Dominik Paris, Alexis Monney, and Jan Zabystran—skied out before reaching the final split.
Austria took early control of the race, with Feurstein and Haaser posting strong runs in bibs 4 and 10. At the halfway mark, it appeared Austria might take both the win and the second spot on the podium—and that scenario held through the finish of the race, with von Allmen slotting into third.
???? North Americans: Points for two, heartbreak for one
All three North American finishers crossed the line, but the course did them no favors. Only the top 15 score World Cup points at Finals, and just two made the cut:
- 13th – Ryan Cochran-Siegle (USA) – 1:12.86 (+1.90)
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team veteran delivered a clean, attacking run and closed strong with a fast Sector 4. - 15th – James Crawford (CAN) – 1:12.94 (+1.98)
Second in the last super-G in Kvitfjell, Crawford couldn’t carry speed throughout the course. - 18th – Jared Goldberg (USA) – 1:15.26 (+4.30)
Finished second in a super-G earlier this season but had trouble finding a fast line and posted the slowest time of the 18 finishers.
For Goldberg, it was a frustrating end to the regular season. His aggressive skiing wasn’t rewarded on this layout, which demanded sharp transitions and clean arcs. Despite showing speed in previous super-Gs, he exited Sun Valley without points.
Cochran-Siegle sees positives in technical challenge
Ryan Cochran-Siegle was the top-finishing North American in 13th and appreciated the unique demands of Sun Valley’s super-G layout.
“It was definitely more technical, which was actually really nice to see,” he said. “At times I gave it too much respect and over-skied, but it was a great learning experience. The course separated the best skiers, and that’s what you want. I hope we get to come back here—it’s a great challenge.”
Final thoughts from a dramatic debut in Idaho
Feurstein’s win not only marked a personal milestone—it delivered Austria a long-awaited men’s super-G victory this season. Haaser backed it up with another big-stage performance, while von Allmen added another podium to Switzerland’s deep speed record.
The Challenger proved worthy of its name, testing the world’s best and offering no easy paths. For many, it exposed the fine line between control and chaos in super-G. For others, it offered a breakthrough moment they’ll never forget.
And while Marco Odermatt missed the podium, he ends the regular season with four crystal globes and full control of the World Cup throne.
Race Results
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Analysis of Fastest Three and North Americans
About the Author: Peter Lange
