Crawford and Alexander Kitzbühel podium, Cochran Siegle Val Gardena: GEPA pictures
North America’s Men Wrap Downhill Season With Mixed Momentum Heading Into Olympic Year
The men’s World Cup downhill season has come to a close with eight races completed—matching last year’s total after back-to-back cancellations at Finals. For North America’s speed teams, the results reveal a season of both progress and setbacks as they look ahead to the 2026 Olympic season.
Crawford and Alexander Deliver for Canada
Canada’s James Crawford delivered a career-defining moment by winning the Kitzbühel downhill—often considered the Super Bowl of ski racing. It marked his first career downhill victory and lifted him to fifth in the final season downhill standings with 270 points, up from 13th place and 152 points last year.
Teammate Cameron Alexander also showed elite form before injury cut his season short. He finished third in Bormio and again on the Kitzbühel podium. Though Alexander missed the final three races, he still secured 194 points and another 9th-place finish in the standings—nearly equaling his 2024 total of 205.
Injuries and Fewer Podiums for U.S. Men
For the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, the men’s downhill season brought fewer podiums than last year. Ryan Cochran-Siegle claimed the lone top-three finish with a clean, attacking run to third place in Val Gardena / Gröden. He ended the year 12th overall with 176 points—30 points fewer than in 2024—and dropped four spots in the standings after finishing eighth last season.
Bryce Bennett, who stood on two Val Gardena / Gröden podiums in 2024 including a win, dropped from fifth overall with 257 points last year to 13th and 164 points this season.
Erik Arvidsson started the season strong, scoring points in Val Gardena / Gröden. However, after just two races, he opted for corrective knee surgery and missed the remaining six downhills. While not among the team’s top-ranked athletes last season, his early exit impacted depth and momentum for the U.S. squad.
Familiar Faces, Shuffled Order
Interestingly, the top four North American men in the downhill standings were the same both seasons—Crawford, Alexander, Cochran-Siegle, and Bennett—but their order changed. Crawford jumped from fourth among them in 2024 to lead the group this season, while Bennett fell from first to fourth. Alexander held steady in second, while Cochran-Siegle remained a consistent third in both points and performance.
Further down the rankings, more U.S. athletes scored points compared to 2024, but several dropped in ranking and productivity. Canada’s Brodie Seger made the most significant jump, improving by 43 World Cup points and moving up 30 positions in the standings.
Here’s how each North American skier who scored downhill points in both seasons compared:
Men’s Downhill Comparison: Top North Americans + Season Downhill Leader
Looking Ahead: Building Toward Milano-Cortina
Despite injuries and fewer podiums for the U.S. men, depth remains. Canada, meanwhile, enters the Olympic season with multiple proven contenders in Crawford and Alexander. With Arvidsson expected to return and younger skiers gaining valuable experience, both North American teams have pieces in place for a stronger Olympic push.
But to contend for Olympic medals in 2026, the U.S. and Canada will need more podium-caliber performances—and a healthy roster.
About the Author: Peter Lange
