Tumler Claims First Career Victory in Thrilling Beaver Creek Finale
Swiss Sweep in Beaver Creek Ends with Tumler’s Historic Win
The final race of the weekend capped a remarkable performance for Switzerland, as Thomas Tumler claimed his first World Cup victory in Beaver Creek, making it three wins in three races for the Swiss team.
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The race came down to the final four racers, delivering all the drama expected from the tightly contested Giant Slalom. First among the top four to ski was Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, now representing Brazil. Pinheiro Braathen didn’t disappoint, skiing aggressively to take a commanding lead from his former teammate Henrik Kristoffersen, finishing 0.93 seconds ahead of the Norwegian.
Next to challenge was Pinheiro Braathen’s best friend, Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath. Although close off the course, Pinheiro Braathen had no problem watching Lie McGrath fall short by 0.59 seconds, slotting into second place with two racers left.
Slovenia’s Žan Kranjec, the second-to-last skier, lost time early to the Brazilian and couldn’t close the gap. He crossed the finish line 0.46 seconds behind Pinheiro Braathen, sliding into second place with just one racer remaining.
The final skier was first-run leader Tumler of Switzerland. Starting with a full second advantage, Tumler skied confidently under immense pressure. He delivered when it mattered most, crossing the line 0.12 seconds ahead of Pinheiro Braathen to claim his first career World Cup win at age 35. Tumler’s victory capped a weekend sweep for the Swiss, following wins in the Downhill and Super-G.
The podium was set: Tumler in first, Pinheiro Braathen 0.12 seconds back in second, and Kranjec in third, 0.58 seconds behind the winner.
Tumler Reflects on His Dream Come True
In the finish area after securing his first-ever World Cup victory, Thomas Tumler was overcome with emotion. “I don’t know, I have no words at the moment,” he said, reflecting on the significance of the win at Beaver Creek—the same venue where he earned his first World Cup podium.
Tumler shared a humorous anecdote about the unexpected triumph. “Last year, when the new World Cup calendar was out and I saw Beaver Creek, I made a joke to my wife and said, ‘Yeah, then I will win there.’ And now I’m here. It’s like, I don’t know, in English—a dream. I need a few minutes to realize what happened today,” he said with a smile.
His victory capped off a historic weekend for Switzerland, with wins in all three Beaver Creek races. “On Friday, Justin (Murisier) won the downhill, yesterday Marco [Odermatt] took the Super-G, and today me. I think it’s a really nice story for our team,” Tumler said. “It shows that never giving up pays off.”
When asked about celebrations, Tumler laughed, noting the team’s tight travel schedule. “I think we’ll find a good bar or some alcohol to celebrate this,” he said, clearly enjoying the moment despite the logistical challenges ahead.
Tumler’s humility and humor perfectly encapsulated a dream weekend for the Swiss ski team and a milestone day for his career.
Pinheiro Braathen Celebrates with Samba Spirit
Pinheiro Braathen lit up Beaver Creek with his signature samba dance in the finish area, celebrating his podium-worthy run under the Brazilian flag. Just as he had done in Sölden, the former Norwegian athlete embraced the moment, showcasing his unique personality and passion for the sport.
“What a moment to break out a dance in front of all these amazing fans here today,” he said, expressing his joy.
Reflecting further on his journey, he added, “I came onto the circuit to make a difference. I came here to be myself and hopefully be an inspiration to the outcasts out there, to the people that feel a bit different, to follow their own path.”
Standing on the podium with the Brazilian flag represented a proud milestone for Pinheiro Braathen. “It’s such a privilege to be the first to bring the Brazilian flag to a winter sport World Cup podium,” he said with pride.
Ultimately, Pinheiro Braathen’s exuberance and heartfelt gratitude left a lasting impression on fans and competitors alike, further solidifying his role as both an athlete and an inspiration.
Kranjec Thrilled with Third Place in Beaver Creek
Kranjec’s third-place finish on the Birds of Prey course capped a highly successful weekend for Slovenia, with the small nation earning two podiums. Miha Hrobat’s third-place result in the downhill on Friday, combined with Kranjec’s podium in the Giant Slalom, highlighted Slovenia’s impressive form on the World Cup stage.
Reflecting on his race, Kranjec admitted to initial doubts about how the challenging hill would suit his skiing. “I felt good on the skis, I skied well and attacked,” he said. “I know there were a few small details I could do better, but otherwise, I’m really happy because I was worried that I wouldn’t have enough speed on this hill.”
His relief was evident as he added, “That’s why I’m even more happy that I showed I can ski fast also here in the U.S., in Beaver Creek. It was a good day for me.”
With two podium finishes over the weekend, Slovenia once again proved it can punch above its weight in Alpine skiing. Both Kranjec and Hrobat demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency, even on the demanding Birds of Prey track, solidifying their nation’s status as a real power in the sport.
Early Movers Shake Up the Standings
De Aliprandini and Radamus Make Significant Gains
The second run kicked off with plenty of excitement as early starters aimed to maximize their opportunities. Alexis Pinturault, the 2021 overall and GS globe winner, set the tone with a clean and aggressive performance. Starting second in the final run after qualifying 29th, Pinturault surged up the standings, making the biggest move of the day by climbing an impressive 13 spots to finish 16th.
Italy’s Luca De Aliprandini followed with a standout performance of his own. Displaying precision and determination, he moved up 11 positions—the second most during the afternoon—to secure a ninth-place finish. Their efforts highlighted the intensity and unpredictability of the second run, where consistency and risk-taking often define success.
Hometown hero River Radamus added to the excitement with a strong second run. Delivering an aggressive and composed performance, he edged out De Aliprandini by 0.03 seconds to briefly hold the lead. Radamus climbed seven spots to finish in a solid seventh place, marking an excellent result for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team.
Top Contenders Face Pressure
Kristoffersen Leads Until Final Racers Take the Course
Austria’s Stefan Brennsteiner, the first of the top ten to ski, made an aggressive charge but fell behind Radamus after a mistake on the Golden Eagle pitch. Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen then took control, crossing the line 0.64 seconds ahead of Radamus to take the lead.
The field narrowed further as Filip Zubčić of Croatia fell short, 0.20 seconds behind Kristoffersen, and Sölden winner Aleksander Steen Olsen lost time to the field, finishing in fifth, 0.80 seconds behind Kristoffersen.
Radamus, sitting in third with five racers left, watched as Loïc Meillard made a costly mistake, losing a pole and finishing well out of contention. Meanwhile, the story of Marco Odermatt’s early struggles continued, as he recorded his second consecutive GS DNF—a rarity for the Swiss star.
Patrick Kenney Falls Short Despite Strong Start
The U.S. had two athletes in the second run, but only Radamus finished. Independent racer Patrick Kenney, who impressed by qualifying with bib 42, started strong but went down on his hip midway through his run. He did not finish, ending his day early in front of an eager home crowd.
Race Results and Analysis of the Top Three and North American Performances
Analysis of the Top Three and North American Performances
Related story: Thomas Tumler Leads as Patrick Kenney Qualifies in Thrilling Beaver Creek GS
About the Author: Peter Lange
