James Crawford / GEPA pictures
First Downhill of the World Cup Season Arrives at the Stifel Birds of Prey
Winter finally showed up in the Vail Valley, just in time for the World Cup. After weeks of snowmaking challenges and now a winter storm system, the Vail Valley Foundation moved the Stifel Birds of Prey downhill to Thursday, December 4, to adapt to the anticipated weather challenges. The finish has also been moved up the race arena, short of the traditional Red Tail location.
Despite the shifting weather, the men completed two successful training runs on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the shortened course is running in the 1:35 range, giving athletes enough time on the hill to build confidence for race day.
Organizers are monitoring the storm closely, and the super-G and giant slalom dates may also be adjusted as they react to changing weather. The goal remains to complete all three races safely before the tour returns to Europe for the remainder of the season.
The Downhill Returns — And So Does Kilde
This race marks a major moment in the sport: Aleksander Aamodt Kilde will ski his first World Cup downhill since his January 2024 crash. He eased back into racing last week in Copper Mountain’s super-G, but Friday presents the real return to form—full speed, full risk, and a field packed with the fastest downhillers in the world. Even with cautious expectations, his presence reshapes the competitive landscape.
Swiss Strength Sets the Standard
Switzerland remains the benchmark in men’s downhill. Last season, Swiss racers won six of the eight World Cup downhills and placed five athletes inside the top ten of the final discipline standings, including the top three.
Marco Odermatt enters as the reigning downhill globe winner and a five-time overall champion. Franjo von Allmen, who became World Champion in Saalbach at just 23, returns as a strong podium contender, while Alexis Monneycontinues to rise from his third-place finish in the downhill standings. Justin Murisier arrives as the defending Stifel Birds of Prey winner, and Stefan Rogentin remains a threat in the middle bibs.
Slovenia’s Miha Hrobat, third in Beaver Creek a year ago and fourth in the 2025 downhill standings, adds even more weight to the podium fight. Italy’s Dominik Paris, a downhill winner last season in Kvitfjell, remains among the most dangerous starters on any speed track.
North Americans Aim for a Home-Snow Breakthrough
Canada brings one of its strongest downhill groups in years. James Crawford, the 2025 Kitzbühel winner, finished fifth in last season’s downhill standings and was the top North American in Beaver Creek last year in fourth. Cameron Alexander, who finished ninth in the downhill standings despite missing the final races due to injury, now returns to action. Brodie Seger, Jeffrey Read, and Raphael Lessard complete a confident Canadian roster.
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team counters with depth and experience. Bryce Bennett, who finished sixth here last year, leads the American group. Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Jared Goldberg, Sam Morse, Erik Arvidsson—also returning from injury—and Kyle Negomir round out the lineup. U.S. independent Wiley Maple adds veteran presence and home-snow familiarity.
Five North Americans scored points in the Stifel Birds of Prey downhill last season: Crawford (4th), Bennett (6th), B Seger (10th), Cochran-Siegle (12th), and Morse (21st). All return athletes this week.
GBR Presence on the World Cup Stage
Great Britain will also be represented. Roy-Alexander Steudle continues his push toward Olympic qualification and will compete in the 14th World Cup downhill of his career. His experience across North American and European tracks adds another storyline to an already deep and international field.
What the Athletes Will Face
Even in shortened form, Beaver Creek offers one of the most complete downhill challenges on the circuit. The track blends long, gliding flats with steep drops, high-speed turns, technical terrain, and a series of rolls that demand clean timing. Racers will face a major compression near the bottom and launch off several large jumps, including the Eagle jump, which is fully visible from the finish stadium. With cold nights finally locking in the surface, conditions should be hard, fast, and unforgiving.
The Olympic Season Starts Here
This race is more than the opening downhill of the World Cup season. It marks the start of the Olympic downhill cycle, and performances here will influence team selections for the Bormio 2026 Winter Games. National teams will be evaluating early-season speed, consistency, and pressure handling as they shape their depth charts for Olympic qualification.
A One-Shot Opportunity
With only one downhill on the schedule in Beaver Creek this season, the stakes rise. The men have waited nearly nine months for full-speed race mode, and the Stifel Birds of Prey will deliver it—fast, challenging, and decisive.
One downhill. One chance to start the season with momentum on a track that demands everything.
How to Watch
The men take the hill on Thursday, Dec 4, at 1:15 p.m. EST / 10:15 a.m. PST
United States: Live coverage on Outside TV (free)
Canada: Stream on CBC Sports.
Great Britain: Both races air live on Discovery+ — 18:15 UK time.
North American and British Downhill Rosters: World Cup Start List — FIS Rank Shown if Outside Top 30 on WCSL
- James Crawford, WCSL 8, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, HEAD
- Ryan Cochran-Siegle, WCSL 12, Stifel USST, Mt Mansfield Ski Academy, Cochran’s Ski Club, HEAD
- Cameron Alexander, WCSL 15, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club
- Bryce Bennett, WCSL 16, FIS, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe
- Brodie Seger, WCSL 26, FIS, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Atomic
- Wiley Maple, WCSL 51, FIS Rank 40, USA Independent, Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club, SYNC, Atomic
- Jeffrey Read, WCSL 68, FIS Rank 42, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, Atomic
- Jared Goldberg, WCSL 41, FIS Rank 54, Stifel USST, Snowbird Sports Educational Foundation
- Erik Arvidsson, WCSL 57, FIS Rank 57, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, Middlebury College, HEAD
- Kyle Negomir, WCSL 63, FIS Rank 58, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Atomic
- Sam Morse, WCSL 40, FIS Rank 71, Stifel USST, Carrabassett Valley Academy, TOKO
- Raphael Lessard, FIS Rank 73, University of Utah, Club de Ski Bromont, HEAD
- Roy-Alexander Steudle, FIS Rank 112, British Independent, Ambition Racing, Atomic
About the Author: Peter Lange
