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Weather Forces Cancelation of Sun Valley Downhills
SUN VALLEY, Idaho — Both the men’s and women’s downhill races at the Stifel Sun Valley World Cup Finals were canceled Saturday due to poor weather conditions, ending the season-long title battles one race early.
Snow and Wind Disrupt Racing Plans
The day started with delays caused by heavy overnight snowfall. Organizers worked through the night and morning to prepare the slope and eventually moved both races to the super-G start.
But just as racing looked possible, strong winds picked up across the venue. After another 30-minute delay to evaluate the safety, officials canceled both races at 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time.
Odermatt Sweeps Four Globes Again
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With the cancelation, Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt officially secured the men’s downhill title for the second straight year. Before arriving in Sun Valley he also locked up the overall, super-G, and giant slalom globes — sweeping all four men’s titles for the second consecutive season.
The 26-year-old has claimed 12 season-long globes in four seasons, cementing his status as the most dominant all-around skier on the men’s World Cup tour.
Odermatt Reflects on Season, Team Success
Marco Odermatt had already clinched the overall, super-G and giant slalom titles before arriving in Sun Valley. The downhill globe was the only trophy still in play, but the Swiss star held a strong lead.
After the cancellation, Odermatt said he was disappointed not to race but understood the decision.
“Very sad to not race today,” he said. “I think the crowd would’ve been amazing. I didn’t expect so many people here, so that’s very nice. Also sad for the hard work on the course, but with that much wind, it probably would not be a fair and safe race. I think it was the right decision.”
Odermatt also praised the Swiss team’s strength in downhill, calling it special to be part of a dominant group.
“We all give everything we have every day in training—the whole team, not just the athletes but also the staff and coaches,” he said. “This year really paid off with so many victories and podiums. We hope to keep continuing like this.”
When asked how he stays motivated after so many titles, Odermatt kept it simple.
“It’s just fun to ski fast, to win races,” he said. “That’s what motivates me—to stay ahead of my teammates who are pushing really hard from the back. It’s a fun life we can live.”
Brignone Adds Downhill Globe to Her Trophy Case
Brignone Wins First Downhill Title
Italy’s Federica Brignone arrived in Sun Valley having already clinched the overall title — her second, after winning the big globe in 2020. She led the downhill standings by 34 points over teammate Sofia Goggia and 16 points over defending champion Cornelia Hütter.
With Saturday’s cancelation, Brignone earned her first career downhill crystal globe. The 33-year-old veteran has now won titles in three disciplines, and she remains in contention for both the super-G and giant slalom crowns with two races left.
Brignone Calls Title “Something Crazy”
Federica Brignone had already locked up the women’s overall title, but clinching the downhill globe was something she never expected at the start of the season.
“It was already crazy to fight for it at the end of the season,” she said. “I’ve been working really hard to get better in downhill to win a race, but to win the World Cup was just something really unexpected. This is just amazing.”
Brignone said she felt ready to race and had prepared mentally, despite the schedule change.
“I really worked on the race today with visualization and I felt ready,” she said. “I just wanted to fight for it. But this is our sport. Alpine skiing is an outdoor sport and sometimes you don’t race. We can’t control the weather.”
Even though the race was canceled, Brignone still got to celebrate her success with her mother, who traveled to Sun Valley after a special Christmas gift.
“Before Christmas, she said, ‘I’d like to come to Sun Valley, but only if you’re fighting for something big,’” Brignone said. “So for Christmas, I gave her plane tickets and said, ‘I hope I’ll be fighting for something big.’”
With the Olympics in Cortina less than a year away, Brignone said the Italian team is building momentum—but staying calm will be key.
“The Olympics are something amazing, but racing at home brings a lot of pressure,” she said. “I hope all of us—me, Sofia, Marta, Elena, the guys—we can be calm and free to show what we can do. It will be emotional and really strong.”
Celebration Continues Despite Cancelation
The official World Cup awards ceremony for the men’s and women’s downhill titles took place Saturday afternoon on the main stage at Sun Valley. Fans turned out in force to cheer the season’s champions, bringing energy and enthusiasm despite the missed races.
The Finals continue Sunday with men’s and women’s super-G races, where more globes are still up for grabs.
About the Author: Peter Lange
