Featured Image: GEPA pictures
BEAVER CREEK, Colorado — The men returned to the start of the giant slalom, ready to wrap up the action-packed Stifel Birds of Prey World Cup in Beaver Creek, CO. After some tough weather shook up the schedule and shortened the speed events, the skies finally cleared. Now, with the Olympic Season ramping up, the men locked in for a thrilling, high-intensity fight to the finish.
Due to suboptimal snow conditions, both the giant slalom finish and start were shifted up. This adjustment meant the course was altered from what veterans are used to, notably by adding a steep pitch at the beginning.
The first run set challenged the racers with turnier sections and the need to be light on the snow and carry their speed onto the flat middle section.
Ted Ligety, a retired U.S. Olympian with the most giant slalom wins in Beaver Creek, explained the unique challenges the racers would face today: “conditions are tough. It changes a lot from all the snow we’ve had, so it’s really hard to go from the super steep to have to try to figure out how to glide across the more mellow train. So you’re seeing guys have a little bit of trouble, making that mental adjustment. But it’s a fun race hill.”
Marco Odermatt leads the pack
Marco Odermatt (Stöckli), the four-time giant slalom globe winner, was the first to kick out of the start. Driven by his unfortunate DNF at Copper Mountain last weekend and a desire to do well in the GS on the Birds of Prey, he attacked the first run in pursuit of a medal.
The Swiss star looked solid from the start, seamlessly pushing each section. He set the pace with a time of 1:08.80. This time held by a large margin, giving him over eight-tenths of a second lead heading into the second run.
Tied for Second: Pinheiro and Kristoffersen
Norwegian veteran Henrik Kristoffersen, who has podiumed in three of his last four giant slalom World Cup races (including a victory in Kranjska Gora), was the third racer to hit the track.
Despite a bobble on the top pitch that briefly threw him off his line, he remained unphased, throwing down a solid first run to finish +0.86 off Odermatt. He knows he has work to do in the second run to clinch the top spot.
Wearing bib-6, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (Atomic), already holding Brazil’s inaugural slalom win, is on the hunt for the nation’s first giant slalom victory. Having finished just off the win last season (2nd behind Tumler), he knows he has the contention to be on top.
He skied with determination and nicely carried his speed onto the flats, matching Kritoffersen’s second-fastest time. Despite showing frustration in the finish arena, he is determined to close the gap in the second run.
Favrot chases his inaugural podium finish
After kicking off the season with a 5th-place finish in Sölden, Thibaut Favrot of France had the confidence to push for his first podium. On the Bird of Prey, Favrot delivered a strong first run, continuing to punch his line from top to bottom.
He nicely carried his speed through the middle flats, closing on Odermatt’s lead, but ultimately lost some time in the bottom section. Nevertheless, his time leaves him only +0.05 off podium contention.
Thomas Tumler seeks another top finish on this hill
Thomas Tumler (Stöckli) of Switzerland, who surprised the crowd last season by earning his first victory in 12 seasons in any discipline, continued his success in 2025 with another GS podium in Hafjell.
Bringing that confidence into the Olympic season, he hopes to find the podium again today. After a solid run, he came into the finish in 5th place, +0.91 behind Odermatt, putting him just +0.05 off a medal position.
Hometown River Radamus determined for a top-10
River Radamus of the Stifel US Ski Team continued his streak today qualifying for the second run. He was the only North American to qualify for the second run in the first two giant slaloms this season thus far.
True to his pre-race statement, “Everybody’s going to be able to execute. You have to risk more,” Radamus bursted out of the start with aggression, attacking from panel-to-panel. Despite this effort, a slower top section created a gap he struggled to close on Odermatt’s lead. He heads into the second run +1.78 off the top time, but just under five-tenths away from a top-10 finish.
Sarchett and Steffey race into the top 30
Ryder Sarchett, an athlete for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, started with bib 52 and fiercely navigated the challenging course. Igniting through each section, he finished +2.14 off Odermatt’s time, which was enough to punch into the top 30. Heading into the second run in 28th position, a successful finish would mark his second-ever top-30 result.
George Steffey (USA, Völkl), competing for Global Racing, started even later with bib 58. After a slow start, he executed a solid middle gliding section to make up ground and secure a spot in the flip, finishing in 24th place (+2.05 off the lead).
He stated, “Can’t ask for much more. It feels really good to be back in it now. I’ve got to hammer down the second run.”
High-bib qualifiers: Seven men from bib 31 and higher
Seven racers starting with bib 31 or higher qualified for the second run:
William Hanson- bib 54 (SWE)
Lenz Haechler- bib 35 (SUI)
George Steffey- bib 58 (USA)
Oscar Andreas Sandvik- bib 39 (NOR)
Ryder Sarchett- bib 52 (USA)
Alban Elezi Cannaferina- bib 31 (FRA)
Lukas Feurstein- bib 36 (AUT)
First Run top thirty results
Run Analysis of the Leaders and North American Qualifiers
Click images to enlarge
About the Author: Ellie Hartman
