Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup GS: Odermatt Dominance, North American Hopefuls Gear Up

George Steffey 2022 Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup GS: GEPA Photos

Who is racing, when, and how to watch the February 24th men’s Palisades Tahoe giant slalom

The Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup, CA men’s World Cup giant slalom (GS) on February 24th, is set to ignite the slopes with fierce competition.

Marco Odermatt of Switzerland has been unstoppable this season, winning all six men’s GS races completed. His dominance has put him in a commanding position, leading the GS discipline standings by a massive 286 points. However, with four races remaining in the regular season and the finals, there’s still room for surprises and upsets. The upcoming event in Palisades Tahoe presents an opportunity for racers to challenge Odermatt’s supremacy and improve their standings before the World Cup finals in Saalbach.

Croatian skier Filip Zubčić and Slovenian athlete Žan Kranjec are fierce competitors in the 2024 World Cup GS standings. Zubčić has secured the second spot with 314 points, with Kranjec closely trailing in third with 271 points. They have both delivered outstanding performances and technical skills, positioning themselves as formidable challengers to the leading Marco Odermatt.

As they gear up for the Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup, Zubčić and Kranjec are determined to close the gap and vie for victory on the challenging Red Dog race venue.

Top-ranked 2024 season Men’s GS Skiers

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Fifty-nine athletes from 20 countries will compete in the February 24th Palisades Tahoe GS.

Men’s GS Nations Cup Battle

In the Nations Cup competition, Switzerland currently leads with 1,057 points, followed by Norway with 787 points and Austria with 627 points. The North American teams, however, are trailing behind. The Stifel US Ski Team’s GS skiers are ranked 8th with 180 points, while Canada sits 12th with 35 points. Despite the gap, North American skiers are eager to make their mark and improve their point totals in the season’s remaining races.

Fifty athletes from 18 countries have scored World Cup GS points this season.

Men’s GS Nations Cup standings

North Americans

Radamus

River Radamus, representing the Stifel US Ski Team, holds an impressive 12th position in the 2024 World Cup GS standings with 124 points. His standout performance includes a career-best 4th place finish in Adelboden, Switzerland, showcasing his potential for podium contention. With the Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup approaching, Radamus aims to capitalize on the home advantage and claim his first podium in front of a supportive crowd.

Ford

Tommy Ford, also part of the Stifel US Ski Team, currently sits at 25th with 53 points in the 2024 World Cup GS rankings. As the only active North American male GS skier who has podiumed in World Cup GSs, Ford is ready to use his experience and skills to boost his standings. With a knack for finding speed on Western US slopes, he eyes the upcoming event as an opportunity to deliver his best performance of the season and solidify his position for the Saalbach finals.

Steffey

Representing the Stifel US Ski Team, George Steffey holds the 50th rank with 3 points in the 2024 World Cup GS standings. Despite his lower position, Steffey remains optimistic about his chances to climb the rankings, drawing motivation from his previous success in the Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup. With determination and ample opportunity to improve, Steffey aims to make significant strides in the season’s remaining races.

Read

Erik Read, a seasoned Alpine Canada Alpin team member, currently holds the 35th position in the 2024 season World Cup GS standings with 20 points. With four consecutive World Cup finals qualifications, Read brings a wealth of experience. Focused on maximizing his potential, he aims to elevate his rankings in the upcoming races and showcase his talents.

Crawford

James “Jack” Crawford, also representing Alpine Canada Alpin, has accumulated 15 points in three GS races during the 2024 season. However, he primarily focuses on speed events. Notably, Crawford will not be racing in the Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup.

North American men who earned World Cup GS points during the 2024 season.

North American men starting in the Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup GS

• Bib 10, River Radamus, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Rossignol, LOOK, Level Gloves
• Bib 21, Tommy Ford, Stifel USST, Mount Bachelor Sports Education Foundation, HEAD
• Bib 25, Erik Read, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, University of Denver, Atomic, UVEX, Level GlovesAtomic, UVEX
• Bib 35, George Steffey, Stifel USST, Stratton Mountain School, Marker/Dalbello/Völkl, Level Gloves
• Bib 37, Isaiah Nelson, Stifel USST, Buck Hill Ski Team, Rossignol, LOOK, Level Gloves
• Bib 39, Brian McLaughlin, Stifel USST invitee, Dartmouth College, GMVS, Marker/Dalbello/Völkl, TOKO, SYNC
• Bib 51, Patrick Kenney, Global Racing, University of New Hampshire, Burke Moutain Academy, Marker/Dalbello/Völkl, TOKO, SYNC

About Palisades Tahoe

Persistent persuasion secured Palisades Tahoe as the first Winter Olympic Games host in the Western US. The nationally televised event introduced skiing to a wide audience, igniting national interest in alpine ski racing. Athletes dined together inside the Olympic Village Lodge, a unique moment in Olympic history. Innovations like biathlon and women’s speed skating debuted alongside metal skis in alpine competitions. The US men’s ice hockey team’s win over the Russians became known as the first miracle on ice, solidifying Palisades Tahoe’s Olympic legacy.

Palisades Tahoe’s allure is captured in Craig Beck’s film “Daydreams,” featuring daring feats in its rugged terrain. Beck’s film showcased Palisades as an extreme skier’s haven, further highlighted by Warren Miller’s subsequent works. Today, as the largest ski resort in Lake Tahoe, Palisades Tahoe offers 6,000 skiable acres, attracting skiers worldwide. Its rich history, from hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics to its recent rebranding, reflects a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, ensuring its status as a premier winter destination.

How and when to watch

The men’s first run starts at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time and 10:00 a.m. on the West Coast. Subsequently, the second run will commence at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and 1:00 p.m. Pacific time. Additionally, with a subscription, a full replay will be available after the race on O+.

First Run Viewing

• The Stifel Palisades Tahoe races will be LIVE on Outside Watch (for free) and on-demand (behind a paywall). NBC and CNBC will also feature domestic races, sometimes live and sometimes tape-delayed. NBC/CNBC will simulcast it via Peacock when it airs. Peacock will not have on-demand domestic races.

In Canada, viewers can watch on CBC sports

In Canada, sports enthusiasts can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports

First run Start list and daily program for Saturday, February 24th, Palisades Tahoe men’s giant slalom

Click on the start list and program to download

The daily program for Saturday, February 24th, Palisades Tahoe men’s giant slalom