The World Cup returns to Colorado on Thursday, Nov. 7, for the first men’s speed event of the Olympic season. Copper Mountain makes its long-awaited World Cup debut with a super-G on trails the world’s best know well from years of early-November training. This time, however, they race for World Cup points, starting positions, and Olympic dreams as the Stifel Copper Cup presented by United Airlines begins a historic new chapter for U.S. speed skiing.
With six men’s World Cup super-G races before the Olympic break, the qualification window is tight. Every result between Copper Mountain and the final pre-Olympic super-G in Kitzbühel on Jan. 23 will determine who earns a place on their nation’s Olympic roster — and for the established stars, how advantageous a start number they bring into Bormio. The pressure begins immediately.
Swiss Set the Benchmark
Switzerland controlled men’s speed events last year, and the super-G was the core of that dominance. Marco Odermatt, the 2025 World and World Cup super-G champion, won three of the eight World Cup super-G races, finished on the podium four times, and never placed outside the top seven.
He enters Copper as the clear favorite.
The depth behind him is equally imposing: Switzerland delivered three of the four highest-ranked super-G skiers last season, with Stefan Rogentin finishing second and Franjo von Allmen fourth. All three arrive in Colorado with momentum and confidence.
World Championship Medalists in the Field
Copper’s debut race features the full 2025 World Championship super-G podium:
- Marco Odermatt (SUI) — gold
- Raphael Haaser (AUT) — silver
- Adrian Smiseth Sejersted (NOR) — bronze
Their presence builds immediate depth into the Olympic-season opener.
All Eyes on Aleksander Aamodt Kilde
One of the most emotional storylines is the possible return of Aleksander Aamodt Kilde.
Aamodt Kilde, one of the most respected speed athletes in the sport, suffered a devastating crash in Wengen two seasons ago and has worked patiently toward a comeback. He will decide on Wednesday evening whether he is ready to start in Copper.
Before the injury, Aamodt Kilde had won nine World Cup super-G races and was one of the defining skiers in the discipline. A top result this soon would be a long shot, but simply stepping back into the start gate would be a powerful moment for the sport — and for fans who have awaited his return.
North American Outlook
North America enters the season’s first speed race with depth and ambition.
Canada’s James “Jack” Crawford was the top-ranked North American in super-G last season, finishing 11th overall and racing at the World Cup Finals. He leads a strong Canadian group that includes Cameron Alexander, Broddie Seger, Jeffrey Read, Riley Seger, and Raphaël Lessard.
For the United States, Ryan Cochran-Siegle is the top-ranked Stifel U.S. Ski Team skier after finishing 19th in the discipline last year. The 2022 Olympic silver medalist begins another season with proven big-race capability.
He is joined by Bryce Bennett, Kyle Negomir, Jared Goldberg, and River Radamus, forming one of the deepest early-season U.S. super-G lineups in recent years.
Team USA will also start two additional athletes:
- Wiley Maple, an independent racer who earned the U.S. basic quota spot by winning the internal time trial
- Tanner Perkins, a rookie on both the World Cup and the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, making his first career World Cup start — a major milestone in his young career
Their presence reflects the growing depth and upward movement in American men’s speed skiing.
One British Starter
Great Britain will be represented by Roy-Alexander Steudle, continuing his push to elevate British speed skiing on the World Cup stage.
Why Copper Matters
Copper Mountain is a familiar training ground, but racing on it is different. The hill’s rhythm, terrain, and early-season snowpack are well known, yet the challenge of attacking it at full pace on a race-prepared surface introduces new variables. Add the compressed Olympic qualification period, the stakes of the season’s opening speed race, and the return of major stars, and Thursday’s super-G — part of the Stifel Copper Cup presented by United Airlines — becomes a defining early-season test.
The men’s speed season begins in Colorado — and for many, so does the long, high-pressure road to earning a place on the Olympic start list.
How to Watch
The men take the hill on Thursday, Nov. 27, at 1:00 p.m. EST / 10:00 a.m. PST
- United States: Live coverage on Outside TV (free)
- Canada: Stream on CBC Sports.
- Great Britain: Both races air live on Discovery+ — 18:00 UK time.
North American and British men racing the Stifel Copper Mountain World Cup super-G presented by United Airlines
- James Crawford, WCSL 14, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, HEAD
- Ryan Cochran-Siegle, WCSL 16, Stifel USST, Mt Mansfield Ski Academy, Cochran’s Ski Club, HEAD
- Cameron Alexander, WCSL 19, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club
- Jared Goldberg, WCSL 24, Stifel USST, Snowbird Sports Educational Foundation
- Jeffrey Read, WCSL 28, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, Atomic
- Riley Seger, WCSL 56, FIS Rank 38, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Montana State University
- River Radamus, WCSL 32, FIS Rank 39, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail
- Kyle Negomir, WCSL 36, FIS Rank 46, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Atomic
- Raphael Lessard, FIS Rank 37, University of Utah, Club de Ski Bromont, HEAD
- Bryce Bennett, WCSL 38, FIS Rank 58, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe
- Sam Morse, WCSL 60, FIS Rank 82, Stifel USST, Carrabassett Valley Academy, TOKO
- Brodie Seger, WCSL 49, FIS Rank 71, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Atomic
- Wiley Maple, WCSL 63, FIS Rank 117, USA Independent, Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club, SYNC, Atomic
- Roy-Alexander Steudle, FIS Rank 120, Ambition Racing, British Independent, Atomic
- Tanner Perkins, FIS Rank 168, Stifel USST, Montana State University, Aspen Valley Ski Club, Crested Butte Mountain Sports Team, HEAD
About the Author: Peter Lange
