Marco Odermatt: GEPA pictures
Men’s World Cup Giant Slalom Returns to One of Skiing’s Most Iconic Resorts
The Stifel Sun Valley World Cup Finals continue Wednesday, March 26, with the men’s giant slalom—a high-profile test at one of the sport’s most iconic venues. While the World Cup venue is new, Sun Valley’s giant slalom legacy runs deep. Sweden’s Ingemar Stenmark, the most successful male Alpine skier of all time, won the only two previous men’s World Cup giant slaloms held here—in March 1975 and again in 1977. Stenmark retired with 86 World Cup victories, including 46 in giant slalom.
Nearly five decades later, another legend arrives in Sun Valley. Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt has already clinched his fourth consecutive World Cup giant slalom season title. Although the globe is no longer up for grabs, Wednesday’s race remains a showcase of skill, pride and power.
The start list features the top 25 in the discipline standings, plus France’s Flavio Vitale, who earned his spot by winning the Junior World Championship title in giant slalom. The 20-year-old backed that up with an impressive 13th-place finish in Hafjell, Norway—the final regular-season World Cup giant slalom—proving he’s ready to challenge for points at the Finals.
Men’s Giant Slalom – Wednesday, March 26
- First Run: 11:30 a.m. ET | 8:30 a.m. PT
- Live (U.S.): OutsideTV (free)
- On-Demand: Outside+
- Canada: CBC Sports
- Second Run: 2:00 p.m. ET | 11:00 a.m. PT
- Live Coverage (U.S.): USA, OutsideTV (free), Peacock
- On-Demand: Outside+
- Canada: CBC Sports
Although Peacock featured excellent commentary from Steve Porino and his team, OutsideTV (free) delivered quality commentary with fewer commercial interruptions during the super-G races. This trend may continue during tech events. Both providers open with commercials, so sign in early if you don’t want to miss the live opening action.
2025 Men’s Giant Slalom Title was Decided in Hafjell Before the Stifel Sun Valley Finals
Marco Odermatt started the season by giving the field a head start—failing to finish in both Sölden and Beaver Creek. From there, he dominated. His consistency and speed left no doubt, as he powered to his fourth straight giant slalom season title (GS Globe) in 2025.
2024–25 Men’s World Cup Giant Slalom Podiums
| Event Location | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sölden, Austria | Alexander Steen Olsen (NOR) | Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) | Atle Lie McGrath (NOR) |
| Beaver Creek, USA | Thomas Tumler (SUI) | Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA) | Žan Kranjec (SLO) |
| Val d’Isère, France | Marco Odermatt (SUI) | Patrick Feurstein (AUT) | Stefan Brennsteiner (AUT) |
| Alta Badia, Italy | Marco Odermatt (SUI) | Léo Anguenot (FRA) | Alexander Steen Olsen (NOR) |
| Adelboden, Switzerland | Marco Odermatt (SUI) | Loïc Meillard (SUI) | Luca De Aliprandini (ITA) |
| Schladming, Austria | Alexander Steen Olsen (NOR) | Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) | Marco Odermatt (SUI) |
| Kranjska Gora, Slovenia | Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) | Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA) | Marco Odermatt (SUI) |
| Hafjell, Norway | Loïc Meillard (SUI) | Marco Odermatt (SUI) | Thomas Tumler (SUI) |
Eight men’s giant slalom races were held during the regular season.
Odermatt landed on the podium in all six regular-season giant slaloms he completed this season.
Twenty-seven athletes from 12 countries will compete in the Stifel Sun Valley World Cup Finals men’s giant slalom on Wednesday, March 26th, including four who qualified with 500+ points across all disciplines—Switzerland’s Alexis Monney, Franjo von Allmen, and Stefan Rogentin, along with France’s Clément Noël. They’ll join France’s Flavio Vitale, the reigning men’s Junior World Champion, in a stacked field chasing a final shot at World Cup GS points. With the globe already secured, the focus shifts to podium places, national pride, and closing the season on a high.
The first run course setter is Sergey Komarov (CRO) and the second run is Wolfgang Auderer (AUT).
River Radamus Lone North American in Stifel Sun Valley Finals Men’s Giant Slalom
Stifel U.S. Ski Team Racing the Stifel Sun Valley World Cup Finals Giant Slalom
- Bib 10, River Radamus, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, SYNC Protection
Scoring Format at the World Cup Finals
The World Cup Finals feature a reduced field. Only the top 25 athletes from the season standings qualify for each event, along with skiers who have earned 500 World Cup points and meet FIS eligibility criteria. Unlike regular-season races, where the top 30 finishers earn World Cup points, only the top 15 receive points at the Finals.
Daily Program
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First Run Start Lists
About the Author: Peter Lange
