Who is racing, when, and how to watch Bormio downhill on December 28th.

December 28th will feature the incredibly demanding Bormio downhill. Although the four downhills contested this season deserve respect, this one is on a whole different level. Like no other course, Bormio challenges the racers from the very top to the bottom.

It is one of the few events where a racer can see the finish at the start. Racers are reminded of the speed at which they will have to descend if they are to make it to the bottom in under two minutes.

Bormio is for the strongest and most committed

Immediately out of the start house, things get rowdy. It’s steep, and they are in the air immediately. The only time a racer’s legs get a break during the run is while flying through the air over the San Pietro jump.

If the racer doesn’t fight every urge they have to bleed speed to reduce the pain in their legs, they will not be happy at the bottom. This monster is relentless, and the high-speed turns below San Pietro extract every ounce of energy from every competitor. There is nothing like Bormio in December. It is dark, and there are lots of small bumps that rattle your teeth and test your will.

If you believe the World Cup should be high-speed, icy, bumpy, dark, and scary, this is the downhill for you. Only the best of the best win on this one. To be competitive, racers have to completely lock their skis into the arc and then do it again time after time for two minutes.

You can expect the kings of speed to rise again, but there is something to consider when picking your fantasy team. The racer who has most often risen to the challenge that is Bormio is Italian Dominik Paris. Paris has won here seven times and six of those victories were in downhill. Certainly, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde and Marco Odermatt are also on everyone’s list for podiums. 

North Americans being challenged by Bormio

This season, when considering the North Americans, it is hard to look past James Crawford. Not only is Crawford the type of bulldog that passes the test, but he also has two podiums in the four downhills he has raced this season. Jeffrey Read is a Canadian racer skiing at a new level this season. Read has found the belief in himself and the ability to commit to his outside ski where he was previously unable. 

Also, look to USA’s Ryan Cochran-Siegle. He has won a super-G Bormio. When he is confident in this setup, you can expect him to attack every inch of the course. It would not be a surprise to see him excel. Jared Goldberg is finding race-day confidence in his new equipment. Goldberg hit a rock toward the bottom of the course today but his splits showed he is ready. Travis Ganong is one of the best skiers in the World Cup, and if he is feeling good, this could certainly be another opportunity for him to rise to the podium. Only four years ago, Bryce Bennett found his way into a Bormio 4th place. Will this be his best race of the 2022-23 season?

How about the amazing story of Sam Morse? Sam had two top 15 results this year in Gröden and is skiing with confidence. Bormio has never really welcomed Morse, but he has never arrived skiing this well. Morse’s teammate Erik Arvidsson also seems to raise his game in Bormio and will be exciting to watch.

Watch this race live or on replay, but you can’t miss it. You will witness mere mortals pushing themselves to their absolute limits. Bormio never disappoints. 

Twelve North Americans will start in Bormio tomorrow. Canada has five on the start list and the USA has seven.

North Americans on December 28th start list 

• Bib 3, Travis Ganong, USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, Atomic
• Bib 7, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, USST, Mt Mansfield Ski Club, Cochran’s Ski Club, HEAD, SWIX, ASP
• Bib 8, James Crawford, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, HEAD
• Bib 19, Bryce Bennett, USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, Fischer, ASP
• Bib 22, Jared Goldberg, USST, Snowbird Sports Educational Foundation, Rossignol, LOOK
• Bib 24, Cameron Alexander, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Rossignol, LOOK
• Bib 31, Brodie Seger, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Atomic
• Bib 33, Jeffery Read, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, Atomic, UVEX
• Bib 34, Sam Morse, Sugarloaf Ski Club, Carrabassett Valley Academy, Fischer, Swix, ASP
• Bib 39, Broderick Thompson, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, HEAD, Oakley
• Bib 46, Erik Arvidsson, USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, Middlebury College, HEAD
• Bib 51, Kyle Negomir, USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Atomic

The race will begin at 5:30 am Eastern Time and at 2:30 am on the West Coast. Remember live and full replay is available with English-speaking announcers on Ski and Snowboard Live.

Start list and program for the December 28th Bormio downhill

Program for December 28th men’s Bormio downhill