Dominik Paris (ITA) winner Saslong: GEPA pictures
Who’s Racing, When to Watch, and How to Tune In
Why Two Names?
Val Gardena / Gröden reflects the region’s unique history and culture. Located in Italy’s South Tyrol, the area was part of Austria-Hungary until 1919. Following World War I, the Treaty of Saint-Germain awarded South Tyrol to Italy, leading to the coexistence of Italian (Val Gardena) and German (Gröden) names, honoring the region’s bilingual heritage.
The Saslong: A Course of Extremes
The Saslong downhill in Val Gardena is one of the most demanding courses on the World Cup circuit, stretching 3,446 meters with a vertical drop of 839 meters. Starting at 2,249 meters and descending to 1,410 meters in Santa Cristina, it challenges racers with steep gradients, including a 56.9% incline in its most technical sections. The course’s layout features nine jumps and 17 bumps, forcing skiers to balance high speeds—often exceeding 120 kilometers per hour—with precise control.
Camel Jump and Ciaslat: Defining Features of the Saslong
Two standout sections define the Saslong’s unique character: the Camel Jump and the Ciaslat meadow.
The Camel Jump is one of the most dramatic moments on the Saslong course. Racers launch the takeoff at full speed, soaring up to 80 meters (262.5 feet) through the air and reaching six meters (19.69 feet) in height before landing on the backside of the landing bump. This monster leap demands balance and courage to maintain momentum, making it one of the most spectacular and decisive sections of the race, thrilling both skiers and fans alike
Further down the course lies the Ciaslat meadow, a technical section filled with 17 ripples and bumps that test racers’ precision and agility. Navigating this terrain requires constant adjustments to the line and stance to maintain speed without losing balance. Even minor mistakes here can cost valuable time, making it a decisive part of the race.
With its relentless jumps and bumps, the Saslong keeps athletes airborne and on edge. Its combination of speed, technical features, and iconic sections solidifies its reputation as one of the most exciting venues in World Cup downhill racing.
Last Season’s Saslong Downhills
Val Gardena hosted two downhills last season, including a makeup race for the canceled Zermatt-Cervinia event. The first downhill, a shorter version of the Saslong, saw Bryce Bennett of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team claim victory. Bennett’s win highlighted his strength on this challenging course and was a major milestone for the American team.
Click images to enlarge
The second downhill featured the full-length Saslong course, showcasing all its iconic sections. Italian star Dominik Paris thrilled the home crowd with a spectacular victory, but Bennett impressed again with a third-place finish. His back-to-back podiums underscored his consistency and made him one of the standout performers of the weekend.
Current 2024-25 Men’s World Cup Top 15 Downhill Rankings
Murisier Wins First Downhill of 2024-25 Season
The 2024-25 World Cup downhill season began with a thrilling race at Beaver Creek’s Birds of Prey. Switzerland’s Justin Murisier captured his first career World Cup downhill victory and second career podium, edging out teammate Marco Odermatt. Odermatt, a dominant figure in recent seasons, finished second, while Slovenia’s Miha Hrobat delivered a career-best performance, earning his first-ever World Cup podium in third.
Murisier’s breakthrough win set an exciting tone for the season, while Odermatt’s consistency reaffirmed his place at the top. Hrobat’s milestone result further highlighted the increasing competitiveness in men’s downhill racing. Switzerland showcased their depth with five racers finishing in the top 15.
France also impressed with three skiers inside the top 15. Canada and the United States each placed two racers in the top 15, signaling solid starts for the North American teams. Austria and Slovenia managed just one skier each, with Hrobat’s podium marking a standout performance for the Slovenian.
With its challenging terrain and rich history, the Val Gardena/Gröden Saslong Downhill promises thrilling races and intense competition as the downhill season heats up. Fans won’t want to miss the action on Saturday, December 21.
Looking Ahead to Val Gardena/Gröden
With its challenging terrain and storied history, the Saslong Downhill promises thrilling races and intense competition this season. The unique features of the course, from the Camel Jump to the Ciaslat meadow, will push athletes to their limits. As the downhill season heats up, all eyes will turn to Val Gardena for another chapter in World Cup downhill history.
Sixty-four racers from 15 countries will compete in the Beaver Creek Downhill, with Austria and Switzerland each entering 10.
North American Success in Val Gardena
Val Gardena has long been a stronghold for North American speed skiers. Last season, seven of the ten North Americans on the Downhill World Cup Start List scored points on the Saslong. Bennett (USA), James “Jack” Crawford (CAN), Jared Goldberg (USA), Cameron Alexander (CAN), Ryan Cochran-Siegle (USA), Jeffrey Read (CAN) and Kyle Negomir (USA) all delivered strong performances, showcasing the track’s compatibility with their skills.
Bennett, who has won twice in Val Gardena, leads a proud tradition of American success on this course. Retired Stifel U.S. Ski Team star Steven Nyman, a Saslong legend, scored points numerous times during his career, including three victories. With its technical demands and high-speed sections, Val Gardena continues to bring out the best in North American racers season after season.
Depth Across the North American Ranks
North American speed skiers demonstrated impressive depth in the opening downhill of the 2024-25 season at Beaver Creek. Three Stifel U.S. Ski Team members and two Canadians scored World Cup points, showcasing the region’s strength in the downhill discipline.
Bennett (USA), Cochran-Siegle (USA), and Sam Morse (USA) all delivered strong performances, with Bennett and Cochran-Siegle finishing inside the top 15. On the Canadian side, Crawford and Brodie Seger also placed in the top 15, further emphasizing the competitiveness of North America’s downhill racers..
North Americans on the DH World Cup Start List (WCSL)
Beyond the strong performances at Beaver Creek, North America’s downhill roster features a mix of proven veterans and emerging talent eager to excel at Val Gardena/Gröden. Joining Bennett, Cochran-Siegle, and Morse on the World Cup Start List are World Championship bronze medalist, Cameron Alexander (CAN), Goldberg (USA), and Read (CAN). Independent racer Wiley Maple (USA) and Kyle Negomir (USA) also have the potential to impact this season.
Sam Morse has shown he can succeed on the Saslong, finishing 10th and 15th in Val Gardena’s 2022 downhills. Erik Arvidson (USA) is mounting a strong comeback after missing the entire 2023-24 season due to injury, while Sam DuPratt (USA) is sidelined for the season after an injury sustained in Beaver Creek.
This determined and talented group gives North America depth and opportunity in the World Cup downhill circuit. With proven performers and rising stars, there is strong potential for more points and podiums as the season progresses toward Val Gardena and beyond.
North American Men Racing the Downhill
- Bib 6, James Crawford, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, HEAD
- Bib 11, Bryce Bennett, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe
- Bib 12, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Stifel USST, Mt Mansfield Ski Academy, Cochran’s Ski Club, HEAD
- Bib 13, Cameron Alexander, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club
- Bib 21, Jeffrey Read, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, Atomic
- Bib 25, Jared Goldberg, Stifel USST, Snowbird Sports Educational Foundation
- Bib 27, Sam Morse, Stifel USST, Carrabassett Valley Academy, TOKO
- Bib 32, Kyle Negomir, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Atomic
- Bib 37, Erik Arvidsson, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, Middlebury College, HEAD
- Bib 39, Wiley Maple, USA Independent, Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club, SYNC, Atomic, Oakley
- Bib 50, Brodie Seger, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Atomic
- Bib 57, Kyle Alexander, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club
How and When to Watch
The race starts at 5:45 a.m. Eastern and 2:45 a.m. Pacific time,
U.S. audiences can watch the race live or as a replay on Ski And Snowboard Live.
Sports enthusiasts in Canada can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports.
Daily Program and Start List
Click the images to enlarge or download.
Start List
About the Author: Peter Lange
