Early Drama for Austria
Austrian Lukas Feurstein was the first racer to tackle the Kitzbühel super-G. With Vincent Kriechmayr sidelined, the crowd eagerly hoped Feurstein could deliver a strong performance. However, a binding prerelease ended his run early with a crash, resulting in the first of 14 who Did Not Finish (DNF).
Tough Start for Team USA
Ryan Cochran-Siegle, the first Stifel U.S. Ski Team member to race, took to the course wearing bib 2. The Olympic silver medalist skied aggressively but lacked the clean execution needed to challenge the leaders. Afterward, he remarked that the course was particularly challenging. Ultimately, he finished outside the points in 32nd place.
Austrians Impress Early
Each of the first four racers claimed the lead during their runs. To the crowd’s delight—and perhaps surprise—, Austrians Daniel Hemetsberger and Stefan Babinsky held the top two spots early on. Kitzbühel often brings out the best in Austrian skiers, and the fans were hopeful this would be one of those days. However, French skier Nils Allegre, wearing bib 6, pushed the limits and edged out Hemetsberger by 0.09 seconds.
Odermatt Raises the Bar
Switzerland’s superstar Marco Odermatt, the season leader in the super-G standings, skied eighth and delivered a commanding performance. With power and determination, he crossed the finish line with a stunning 0.89-second lead, securing his second super-G victory of the season. Once again, the Swiss team demonstrated their dominance in the discipline.
“It was a difficult race from the start,” Odermatt said. “After the inspection, I knew it would be a tough super-G. You really had to ski smart and with good tactics. I wasn’t the fastest in any section, but I skied the best from top to bottom—and that’s what makes super-G so special.”
Swiss Sweep in Progress
Young Swiss talent Franjo Von Allmen followed Odermatt and delivered an impressive run. While unable to match Odermatt’s blistering pace, he crossed the line temporarily in second place. Stefan Rogentin, who had been ill and was wearing bib 10, continued the Swiss charge. Drawing on his Kitzbühel experience, Rogentin finished 0.30 seconds behind Odermatt, giving Switzerland momentarily the three fastest times on the leaderboard.
“I’m really happy that it worked out like this,” Rogentin said. “It’s not the best way to start a race feeling unwell, but I’m really happy—especially with how it finished. It felt pretty bad to ski down this track because it was pretty different from the top to the finish—different conditions on the track. You have to manage the different conditions and just go push it.”
He added, “You feel it when it’s changing, especially the middle part—it’s bumpy and dark. This was the hardest part for me because of the visibility.”
Haaser Thrills the Crowd
Raphael Haaser energized the Austrian fans with a determined and gutsy run. Exceptional in the second half of the course, Haaser mounted a serious challenge to Odermatt’s lead. He broke up the Swiss sweep, crossing the line in second place, just 0.11 seconds behind Odermatt. The crowd erupted in celebration, cheering Haaser’s fourth career super-G podium and a stellar performance on home soil.
“It’s a childhood dream come true,” Haaser said. “Kitzbühel is Kitzbühel—you don’t find this atmosphere anywhere else in the world. It’s the ski race of the year. I live just 45 minutes away, so this really is my home race, and I’m incredibly happy with my performance today.”
Haaser Breaks Swiss Momentum
Switzerland ultimately secured three of the top four spots, with Marco Odermatt claiming his first Hahnenkamm victory, and it came in the super-G. Raphael Haaser’s thrilling run, however, stole much of the spotlight. His podium finish not only delighted the Austrian fans but also proved that Kitzbühel brings out the best in its homegrown talent.
Podium Performances and Near Misses
Marco Odermatt claimed victory, securing his first Hahnenkamm win and second super-G triumph of the season. Austrian Raphael Haaser thrilled the home crowd with a fearless performance to take second, while Switzerland’s Stefan Rogentin completed the podium with a strong and composed run. Just off the podium, Franjo Von Allmen delivered an impressive effort in fourth, underscoring Switzerland’s strength and depth on the day.
“Winning here in Kitzbühel was a big goal, and it’s one of the biggest achievements you can have in ski racing,” Odermatt said. “After so many crashes today, it reminds you to stay grounded and ski smart, especially with the downhill coming tomorrow.”
Strong Day for Alpine Canada Alpin
It was a banner day for Alpine Canada Alpin, with all five racers finishing in the points. Cameron Alexander led the team with an impressive 5th-place finish, showcasing his skill and composure. James “Jack” Crawford followed in 8th, delivering another strong result for the Canadians. Riley Seger added to the team’s success, earning his first super-G World Cup points of the season with a 15th-place finish. Jeffrey Read, still searching for the speed that defined his previous season, managed to secure 23rd place. Brodie Seger, wearing bib 49, fought hard to earn 27th place, rounding out a remarkable team effort that underscored the depth of talent in Alpine Canada Alpin.
Delays and Changing Conditions
The race progressed slowly due to multiple falls that disrupted its flow. French stars Alexis Pinturault and Florian Loriot suffered serious crashes, both requiring helicopter evacuations and causing lengthy interruptions. With each delay, the sun baked the course surface, altering the snow and changing the challenge for the later racers. By the time bib 33 prepared to start, there were only 22 finishers, and the race had stretched to one hour and 26 minutes since Lukas Feurstein opened the competition. Bib 41, Sam Alphand, became the 30th skier to finish, and ultimately, only 43 of the 57 racers completed the super-G. However, as the sun dipped behind the mountain, the snow conditions became faster, opening the door for late starters to post competitive times.
Stifel U.S. Ski Team and Independent Highlights
The fastest Stifel U.S. Ski Team member was Bryce Bennett, wearing bib 36. Battling the flat light of the afternoon, Bennett skied his way into the top 20, finishing an impressive 19th. His teammate Jared Goldberg, who previously earned a podium in the Val Gardena/Gröden super-G, finished 22nd, 1.36 seconds behind Marco Odermatt. Independent racer Wiley Maple also scored his first World Cup points of the season with a 29th-place finish. Despite the challenging visibility, Maple charged the course with determination and Kitzbühel is an excellent venue to start his super-G points tally for the year. Bennett’s strong result will likely bring him into the discussion for a spot on the Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s super-G roster at the World Championships.
“Kitzbühel is such a special place—85 years of history on this hill, and you can feel it in the crowd and the energy,” Bennett said. “My wife’s family is here, even her 92-year-old grandmother, and seeing them experience this atmosphere reminds me how much people love ski racing. It’s truly unlike anywhere else in the world.”
“The flat light made it tricky, especially in the afternoon,” Bennett said. “I just tried to stay smooth and build speed through each section. Cracking the top 20 in Kitzbühel is always special, and I’m happy with how I handled the course today.”
Looking Ahead to the Hahnenkamm Downhill
As today’s super-G wraps up, all eyes turn to tomorrow’s marquee event: the legendary Hahnenkamm downhill. Known as the ultimate test of courage and skill, the downhill will see the world’s best skiers take on the famed Streif, one of the most challenging courses in the sport. With Austrian fans hoping for a home-country victory and global stars like Marco Odermatt looking to add to their Kitzbühel legacy, the excitement is building for what promises to be an unforgettable race.
Top 30 Finishers
Run Analysis: Top Three Performers and North Americans in the Top Thirty
About the Author: Peter Lange
