Marco Odermatt celebrates first career World Cup downhill victory 2024: GEPA pictures
Who’s Racing When and How to Watch
The Lauberhorn Downhill in Wengen, Switzerland, will take place on January 18, 2025. Known as the longest and one of the most demanding courses on the World Cup circuit, this race promises high speeds, steep descents and breathtaking scenery.
The Legendary Lauberhorn Course
The Lauberhorn downhill course, which debuted in 1930, is steeped in history and remains a highlight of the World Cup calendar. It stretches over 4.5 kilometers, making it the longest downhill course in the circuit. Racers face challenges like the infamous “Hundschopf” jump, which has an incline of up to 87%, the high-speed “Haneggschuss” straight, where speeds exceed 160 km/h (100 mph), and technical sections that demand absolute precision.
The course requires phenomenal endurance. Training times this week exceeded 2 minutes and 25 seconds—far longer than the typical downhill, which usually lasts under 2 minutes. Racers often collapse at the finish, unable to stand after the grueling effort. The bottom section becomes especially dangerous for those attacking aggressively without sufficient endurance. The stunning views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains add to the spectacle.
Last Season’s Lauberhorn Highlights
Marco Odermatt claimed his first World Cup downhill victory in last year’s Lauberhorn Downhill, which ideally was on home soil, further cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s elite. Cyprien Sarrazin of France, an emerging star, finished second but will miss this season due to injuries sustained at Bormio. Italian veteran Dominik Paris rounded out the podium.
The race also brought heartbreak, as Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt Kilde suffered severe injuries in a crash, requiring an airlift to the hospital. Despite his remarkable fitness, Aamodt Kilde had been sick throughout the three days of racing and lacked the strength to complete the full-length course. His desire to compete pushed him to race the full-length downhill, ultimately leading to his dramatic crash. He is still recovering and will not compete in World Cup races this season. The top North American performances came from Ryan Cochran-Siegle (9th) and Bryce Bennett (10th) of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, while Jared Goldberg finished 16th. Canadian James “Jack” Crawford placed 21st, followed by Sam Morse in 25th.
The Swiss Dominance
The Swiss downhill team has been unstoppable this season. Marco Odermatt leads the standings, followed by teammates Franjo Von Allmen, Justin Murisier, and Alexis Monney in second, third, and fourth, respectively. Remarkably, Swiss athletes have secured every first- and second-place finish in the three downhill races so far this season.
Podium Trends This Season
This season’s downhill podiums highlight the Swiss dominance:
- Beaver Creek Birds of Prey: Justin Murisier (SUI), Marco Odermatt (SUI), Miha Hrobat (SLO)
- Val Gardena Saslong: Marco Odermatt (SUI), Franjo Von Allmen (SUI), Ryan Cochran-Siegle (USA)
- Bormio Stelvio: Alexis Monney (SUI), Franjo Von Allmen (SUI), Cameron Alexander (CAN)
- (CAN)
Notably, while Swiss racers have dominated the top two spots, the third step of the podium has gone to three different countries: Slovenia, the USA and Canada.
A Competitive Field
The top 15 in the downhill standings feature impressive diversity:
- Five Swiss: Odermatt, Von Allmen, Murisier, Monney and Gogentin
- Three Austrians: Kriechmayr, Hemetsberger and Eichberger
- Two Canadians: Alexander, Crawford
- Two Americans: Cochran-Siegle, Bennett
- One Italian: Mattia Casse
- One Slovenian: Miha Hrobat
- One Frenchman: Nils Allègre
This mix of seven nations ensures a thrilling competition at the Lauberhorn, with racers vying for glory on one of the sport’s most iconic stages.
Current 2024-25 Men’s World Cup Top 15 Downhill Ranking
Fifty-five racers from 14 countries will compete in the Wengen Lauberhorn.
North American Racers to Watch
North American racers have shown promise this season. Cameron Alexander (CAN), ranked 7th, leads the contingent with a podium in Bormio. Cochran-Siegle (USA) follows in 8th, with Bennett (USA) in 11th.
U.S. Racers
Among the Americans, Cochran-Siegle is the top performer, sitting 8th in the standings after his podium finish in Val Gardena / Gröden. Bennett, ranked 11th, has shown consistency and remains a contender for strong results. Morse (40th) and Erik Arvidsson (43rd) round out the scoring Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes, though Arvidsson’s season has ended due to a knee injury. Goldberg, a surprise non-scorer so far this season, aims to capitalize on his super-G success, including a second-place finish in December. Wiley Maple, competing as an independent racer, adds experience and grit to the field, while Negomir seeks to break into the points on the challenging Lauberhorn course.
Canadian Racers
Canada’s Alexander, ranked 7th, has been a standout performer, securing a podium in Bormio. Crawford, ranked 13th, and Brodie Seger, ranked 16th, bring depth to the Canadian team. Jeffrey Read, who had a breakout season in 2023-24 but has struggled this year, is another racer to watch as he seeks to return to form. With a mix of experience and emerging talent, the Canadian team is well-positioned to challenge for strong results in Wengen.
North Americans on the DH World Cup Start List (WCSL)
It is distinct from the current season standings
As the first men’s World Cup downhill of 2025, the Lauberhorn promises drama, excitement, and historic performances. With the World Championships looming, this race is a crucial opportunity for racers to secure their spots and build momentum. Whether it’s the dominant Swiss team, the determined North Americans, or surprise challengers, the Lauberhorn downhill is set to be a spectacle not to be missed.
North American Men Racing the Downhill
- Bib 7, Cameron Alexander, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club
- Bib 11, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Stifel USST, Mt Mansfield Ski Academy, Cochran’s Ski Club, HEAD
- Bib 14, Bryce Bennett, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe
- Bib 16, James Crawford, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, HEAD
- Bib 22, Brodie Seger, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Atomic
- Bib 25, Sam Morse, Stifel USST, Carrabassett Valley Academy, TOKO
- Bib 33, Jeffrey Read, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, Atomic
- Bib 34, Jared Goldberg, Stifel USST, Snowbird Sports Educational Foundation
- Bib 38, Kyle Negomir, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Atomic
- Bib 40, Wiley Maple, USA Independent, Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club, SYNC, Atomic, Oakley
How and When to Watch
The race starts at 6:30 a.m. Eastern and 3:30 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
Related Article: 23-Year-Old Franjo Von Allmen Claims First Win at Wengen Super-G
About the Author: Peter Lange
