Atle Lie McGrath and Lucas Pinheiro Braathen celebrate their Sölden success. (GEPA Pictures)
Men’s World Cup Season Opens Sunday in Sölden
The 2025–26 men’s World Cup season kicks off Sunday on the Rettenbach Glacier in Sölden, Austria — the traditional start to winter and the first step on the road to the 2026 Olympic Games in Bormio, Italy. Every turn this season will shape Olympic team selections, giving the opening race added intensity and purpose.
Marco Odermatt, reigning overall, downhill, super-G, and giant slalom champion of Switzerland, begins his title defense as the clear favorite. Though he failed to finish last year’s opener, he went on to win three of nine World Cup giant slaloms and reached the podium every time he finished. A repeat stumble in Sölden seems unlikely for the skier who has defined excellence in modern GS.
Swiss Power: Odermatt and Meillard Reunite
Odermatt’s teammate Loïc Meillard, last season’s runner-up in the GS standings, returns after missing the 2024 opener due to injury. Together, the Swiss pair have set the technical standard — efficient, aggressive, and consistent — and will again anchor the battle for the discipline title. Their performance in Sölden will set the tone across all national teams.
Norwegian Firepower and Braathen’s Bold Path
Last year’s Sölden podium belonged entirely to Norway. Alexander Steen Olsen (24) earned his first World Cup GS victory despite limited training due to chronic knee pain, finishing ahead of Henrik Kristoffersen and Atle Lie McGrath, now 25.
However, Steen Olsen will miss this season’s opener with the same knee issue, leaving Kristoffersen and McGrath to carry Norway’s charge.Adding intrigue, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen — once a Norwegian teammate and now racing for Brazil — made his first World Cup start under the Brazilian flag in Sölden last season after taking the previous year off to consider his future. His return brought energy and emotion, and he now continues to race for Brazil with characteristic flair and confidence.
North Americans: Radamus Leads the Stifel U.S. Ski Team
The top North American in Sölden last season was Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s River Radamus of Edwards, Colorado, who finished 11th. His powerful skiing and consistency continue to build momentum toward what many believe will soon be his first World Cup victory. Two seasons ago, Radamus earned his first career podium at Palisades Tahoe — a moment that confirmed his place among the world’s elite.
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team returns with a full contingent. Cooper Puckett, Isaiah Nelson, Bridger Gile, and Ryder Sarchett — all Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes — will line up in Sӧlden. Gile and Patrick Kenney, now back on the national team after racing independently with Global Racing last season, both scored World Cup points last year and aim to build on that progress. Puckett, Nelson, and Sarchett are still aiming for their first World Cup points — a key milestone as the Olympic season begins.
Veteran Tommy Ford, the last American man to win a World Cup GS, remains sidelined recovering from injury.
Canadian and British Entries Add Depth
Canada’s Erik Read, a six-time Sölden starter who has qualified four times with a best result of seventh in 2019, returns with experience and determination. He’s joined by Will St-Germain, who makes his second World Cup start. Both compete independently for Alpine Canada Alpin.
The field also includes Freddy Carrick-Smith, an 18-year-old Briton making his World Cup debut — an inspiring milestone for Great Britain’s next generation.
Hirscher Out with Illness
Eight-time overall World Cup champion Marcel Hirscher, now representing the Netherlands, will miss Sölden after being sidelined by illness and two weeks without training. His absence will be felt during Sunday’s race, but anticipation for his eventual return remains high.
Men’s Race Sunday
The men’s giant slalom follows on Sunday, Oct. 26, with Europe switching back to standard time overnight. That means a 5:00 a.m. EDT / 2:00 a.m. PDT start for run one and 8:00 a.m. EDT / 5:00 a.m. PDT for run two.
Last season, Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt dominated the standings, but the field is closing in. Expect a true dogfight for the title this year as challengers aim to break his streak and make an impact in Sölden.
How to Watch
United States: Live and replay coverage on Peacock.
Canada: Stream on CBC Sports.
Great Britain: Both races air live on Discovery+ — first run 9:00 a.m., second run 12:00 p.m. UK time
Course setters — First run: Paul Epstein (BEL) Second run: Renzo Valsecchi (SUI)
North Americans Racing Sölden: World Cup Start List and FIS Rankings — FIS Rank Shown if Outside Top 30 on WCSL
- River Radamus, WCSL 13th, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail
- Erik Read, WCSL,48th, FIS 55th, World Racing Academy, Banff Alpine Racers, University of Denver, Atomic, SYNC
- Bridger Gile, WCSL 52nd, FIS 51st, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, HEAD
- Isaiah Nelson, FIS 58th, Stifel USST, Buck Hill Ski Team, SHRED
- Ryder Sarchett, FIS 58th,Stifel USST, University of Colorado, Sun Valley Ski Academy, Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation
- Cooper Puckett, FIS 74th, Stifel USST, Dartmouth College, SSWSC, Steamboat Mountain School, HEAD, SHRED
- Patrick Kenney, WCSL 42nd, FIS 88th, , Stifel USST, University of New Hampshire, Burke Moutain Academy, Marker/Völkl, SYNC, SHRED
- Freddy Carrick-Smith, FIS 93, Great Britain, World Cup Rookie
- William St-Germain, FIS 113th, Global Racing, Le club de ski du Mont Sainte-Anne, University of Vermont, SHRED
About the Author: Peter Lange
