High Stakes at Birds of Prey Downhill
The Stifel Birds of Prey Downhill unfolded under brilliant blue skies in Beaver Creek, Colorado, providing ideal conditions for an exhilarating race. Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt, the clear pre-race favorite, commanded much of the attention. Strong contenders France’s Cyprien Sarrazin and Austria’s Vincent Kriechmayr added intrigue to the competition.
Adding to the excitement, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes Ryan Cochran-Siegle and Bryce Bennett impressed during Friday’s training runs, both securing top-ten results. Their strong performances raised hopes for an American standout showing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.
Odermatt and Sarrazin entered the race riding high on multiple victories during the 2023-24 season. Meanwhile, Kriechmayr, a proven force in both downhill and super-G, brought a unique blend of skill and experience. Known for its steep, high-speed turns and relentless technical demands, the Birds of Prey course lived up to its reputation as one of the World Cup’s most challenging stops.
As always in ski racing, the unexpected loomed, and Friday’s race delivered surprises.
Murisier’s Breakthrough Victory
Justin Murisier made history at Birds of Prey, capturing his first-ever World Cup downhill victory. This milestone also marked just the second World Cup podium of his career, following a third-place finish in the 2020 Alta Badia Giant Slalom. Murisier’s skill and determination shone in Beaver Creek, cementing his place as a star.
Joining him on the podium was Odermatt, the reigning overall World Cup champion, who finished second with another strong performance. The biggest surprise came from Slovenia’s Miha Hrobat, who earned his first-ever World Cup podium with a remarkable third-place finish. This unexpected podium lineup added drama to an already thrilling race.
Click images to enlarge
“I’ve dreamed of this for many years,” Murisier said. “I had so many struggles with injuries and surgeries that I almost stopped dreaming of it. It’s amazing to achieve it now, and even more so on such a great course. Sometimes, when you expect it the least, it means the most.”
Reflecting on his win, he added, “I had surgery on my knee in June and struggled all summer. I came here hoping for a solid result to build on during the winter, but winning already is incredible.”
On sharing the podium with Marco Odermatt, Murisier said, “We’ve talked about this and dreamed of it so many times, but something was always missing for me to achieve it with him. Now we did it. Marco helped me a lot when I was struggling, and it’s amazing to have a teammate like him.”
Odermatt On Racing in the U.S. Versus Europe:
“It’s a big difference,” Odermatt said. “It’s less crowded here, but the atmosphere is still nice. People in the U.S. love skiing, maybe a little less the competition itself, but hopefully, we can make it bigger here. With days like today, I think we’re moving in the right direction.”
“It was my first World Cup victory here, five years ago today,” he said. “It’s always great to come back. For me, this is the best downhill we have on tour. Everything is in it—it’s so nice to ski. The snow is always good, and the weather is usually great. We just love racing here.
Thrills and Challenges in the Early Runs
Hrobat opened the race with a bold and aggressive run that revealed the course was running faster than in training. His performance set the tone and sent a clear message: risk-taking was necessary for success.
Sarrazin, the first race favorite wearing bib six, followed shortly after. By this time, Murisier held the lead with a 0.35-second advantage over Hrobat. While Sarrazin’s aggressive style suited the course, minor mistakes pushed him to a ninth-place finish, well behind the leader.
Bennett was the first North American down the course. He delivered a solid performance, momentarily taking third place, 0.88 seconds off Murisier’s pace. Next, Odermatt attacked the course, leading through the first 1:13.35 but losing time on the final stretch to finish 0.20 seconds behind his teammate, securing second.
Bryce Bennett reflected on his performance, saying, “I’ve been skiing really well all summer, and I’ve focused on improving steep sections after last year. It’s good to see the work paying off, even though I was hoping for a little more today.”
Cochran-Siegle, the second U.S. racer, faced a dramatic moment when a mistake almost ended his run. Despite recovering to finish safely, his time of 1.49 seconds off the lead left him outside podium contention.
Cochran-Siegle shared his perspective, saying, “I really wanted to execute on the pitch, and for the most part, I felt like I was generating more, which was nice. There’s still much to be learned, but for tomorrow, I’m just focusing on having fun, embracing the snow, and putting down my best run.”
Final Pre-Race Favorite Takes on the Birds of Prey
The last of the pre-race favorites to tackle the Birds of Prey course was Austria’s Kriechmayr, wearing bib 15. After dominating Friday’s training run, he entered the race with high expectations. Kriechmayr delivered a strong and precise run but fell short of the podium. He finished in fifth place, 0.65 seconds behind leader Justin Murisier.
Canada’s Crawford Challenges for the Podium
Canada’s James “Jack” Crawford, starting after the first 15 racers, thrilled the crowd with a commanding run. A podium finisher in the last Birds of Prey downhill at Beaver Creek, Crawford once again showcased his skill and consistency. He stayed in contention throughout his run but ultimately finished 0.51 seconds behind Murisier, securing fourth. Crawford’s result pushed Bennett to sixth, ending hopes for an American top-five finish.
Rising Stars and Stifel Bibo Award
While Crawford, Bennett, Brodie Seger, and Cochran-Siegle finished among the top 15, another North American seized their opportunity on the demanding course. Stifel U.S. Ski Team member Sam Morse showed resilience, earning his first World Cup points of the season with a 21st-place finish, 1.78 seconds behind the leader.
Bib 49, Seger delivered an exceptional run, finishing 10th at 1.10 seconds back. However, the $5,000 Stifel Bibo Award, given to the racer who gains the most positions from their start number, went to the Czech Republic’s Jan Zabystřan. Starting with bib 54, Zabystřan climbed to an impressive 11th place, claiming the prize.
Eight racers with bib numbers above 30 broke into the top 30, showcasing their skill and adaptability. The final racer to achieve this feat was Austria’s Stefan Eichberger, who started with bib 55 and finished 20th.
Run Analysis: Fastest Three and quotes
Justin Murisier (1st Place – Switzerland)
Murisier executed a flawless run, combining power and precision to master the demanding Birds of Prey course. His ability to maintain speed through technical sections, particularly on the steep pitch above the Golden Eagle jump, set him apart. Murisier’s smooth transitions and minimal time loss on the flats allowed him to claim victory by a narrow margin, showcasing his adaptability in a discipline where he has rarely competed at the top level.
“I really tried to stay really low and not do too much and to go as straight as possible without taking risks, because we know these last two jumps are a bit dangerous. But everything went well so I am quite happy,” Murisier said.
On Beaver Creek’s downhill course:
“We all say it’s the nicest course to ski,” he said. “You have to be a real downhiller to succeed here because it has gliding sections, steep passages, and everything in between. You need to be a complete athlete to do well, and I guess now I can call myself a downhiller.”
Marco Odermatt (2nd Place – Switzerland)
Odermatt’s run reflected his reputation as the most consistent skier in the world. His aggressive approach through the course’s steep middle section earned him the lead by the time he reached the flats. However, slight errors on the lower part of the track cost him valuable time, leaving him 0.20 seconds behind Murisier. Odermatt’s second-place finish solidifies his position as a frontrunner in every discipline he competes in.
“I think it was a solid run, not my best yet,” Odermatt said. “I made two mistakes. The first one was at the top, where I wasn’t that fast on the flat section, so I was already a little behind. I had a very good middle part, but then I made another mistake on the second-to-last jump, going too far in the wrong direction. I think that’s where I lost the victory.”
Miha Hrobat (3rd Place – Slovenia)
Hrobat delivered the performance of his career, earning his first World Cup podium. He took calculated risks throughout the course, particularly in the high-speed sections, and carried impressive momentum onto the flats. His clean skiing and precise line selection allowed him to edge out more well known competitors, marking a breakthrough moment for the Slovenian athlete.
When asked if his impressive run was a surprise, Hrobat said: “Not really. I’ve been skiing very well all season in preparation and also during the training run. So, maybe it’s a little bit of a surprise, but I knew I could do it. I’m very happy.”
Top 30 race results and Run Analysis: Fastest Three Finishers and Top North American Racers
Click images to enlarge
Run Analysis: Fastest Three Finishers and Top North American Racers
Related Articles: Can U.S. Downhillers Shine at Birds of Prey? New Coaches and Training Spark Optimism and Birds of Prey Downhill Preview: Who’s Racing and How to Watch
About the Author: Peter Lange
