World Cup Race News

The 2025 World Championship downhill in Saalbach will be a high-stakes, one-run showdown, where aggression, precision, and fearlessness will decide the winner. With Italy’s Brignone and Goggia leading the season standings, Austria racing on home soil, and seven nations in the mix, the fight for gold is wide open. Rising star Lauren Macuga, past Saalbach winner Cornelia Huetter, and the legendary Lindsey Vonn’s return to World Championship downhill racing add even more intrigue. On Saturday, February 8, the world's best will push the limits on the Ulli Maier Downhill, where one perfect run is all that matters.

The Saalbach 2025 Men’s Super-G promises high-speed action as the world’s best skiers battle for gold on the demanding Zwölferkogel course. Marco Odermatt, the season’s top-ranked racer, leads a deep field, while defending world champion James Crawford looks to defend his title after a strong Kitzbühel downhill win. Vincent Kriechmayr, a two-time world champion, returns from injury, and Mattia Casse, Fredrik Møller, and Stefan Rogentin have all proven they can contend. With only one run to decide the champion, the race will come down to who takes the most risk and executes under pressure.

Saalbach 2025 Women's Super-G Preview

The highly anticipated Women's Super-G at the 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships takes place on February 6 in Saalbach, Austria. Athletes will face the challenging Zwölferkogel course, known for its steep terrain, high-speed sections, and demanding jumps. With defending world champion Marta Bassino, recent winners Lara Gut-Behrami, Federica Brignone, and Kajsa Vickhoff Lie, along with Lauren Macuga, who claimed her first World Cup victory this season, the race promises fierce competition. The U.S. and Canada bring a mix of experience and emerging stars, while six nations have multiple contenders ranked in the World Cup’s top 15.

The Men’s Kandahar downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen has been canceled after dense fog at the bottom of the course prevented the final training run, making the race ineligible under FIS rules. Officials explored an alternative plan, but the top 15 ranked racers unanimously voted against it, leading to the event’s cancellation. The decision is a disappointment for athletes, fans, and the German Ski Federation, with financial and logistical impacts. While official racing won’t take place, U.S. and Canadian athletes have been invited to train on the historic Kandahar course ahead of the World Championships in Saalbach.

Under the roaring lights of Schladming, Norway’s Timon Haugan delivered a clutch second run to claim victory, securing a Norwegian sweep of the Schladming night races. Austria’s Manuel Feller and Fabio Gstrein gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about, finishing second and third, while Benjamin Ritchie of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team skied his way to 9th place, marking his second career top-10 finish. With the World Championships in Saalbach just weeks away, Austria carries strong momentum, while Norway continues to dominate under the lights.

Under the glow of Schladming’s floodlights, Linus Strasser set the pace in the first run, but the race remains wide open with six skiers within 0.71 seconds. Austria’s Manuel Feller, fueled by a roaring home crowd, looks to close the gap, while Norway’s Timon Haugan and Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard remain in striking distance. Fabio Gstrein’s seventh-place run kept Austrian hopes alive, and the British team pulled off the unusual feat of qualifying all three of its racers. Meanwhile, Ben Ritchie was the lone North American to qualify, continuing his breakout season. With the reverse start order setting up early lead changes and the crowd returning louder than ever, the second run promises a thrilling battle to the finish.

Alexander Steen Olsen claimed his second giant slalom victory of the season under the lights in Schladming, leading a Norwegian 1-2 finish with Henrik Kristoffersen. Marco Odermatt surged to third, while River Radamus gained five spots to finish 12th, capping off an electrifying night on the Planai slope.

The Schladming Night Giant Slalom delivered its signature energy under the floodlights of the iconic Planai. Loïc Meillard leads a tight competition after the first run.

Clément Noël delivered a stunning second run to claim his fourth slalom victory of the season on Kitzbühel’s legendary Ganslernhang slope. Italy’s Alex Vinatzer earned a career-best second-place finish, while Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made history with another podium. The challenging course tested the world’s best, creating the thrilling drama Kitzbühel is known for.

Norwegian Timon Haugan set the pace in the first run of the Kitzbühel World Cup slalom, leading by a slim 0.07 seconds on the challenging Ganslernhang slope. With tight margins among the top racers and standout performances from higher bibs like Britain’s Laurie Taylor and France’s Hugo Desgrippes, the stage is set for a thrilling second run.

Mikaela Shiffrin, the winningest Alpine skier in World Cup history, is set to make her highly anticipated return to competition on January 30, 2025, just 60 days after a season-disrupting abdominal injury. In an exclusive interview with Ski Racing Media, Shiffrin opened up about the challenges of her recovery, from rebuilding muscle strength to balancing training with healing, and reflected on her excitement to race again. She also shared her thoughts on Petra Vlhová’s absence and the resilience it takes to return mid-season, offering fans a glimpse into her journey back to the top of the sport.

Get ready for the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Women’s Super-G, a thrilling stop on the Alpine Ski World Cup circuit. With key contenders like Federica Brignone, Lara Gut-Behrami, and rising U.S. star Lauren Macuga, this race promises excitement on the legendary Kandahar course. Lindsey Vonn, returning after retirement, adds to the drama as she takes on one of her favorite venues. Find out who to watch, when it starts, and how to tune in!

James Crawford claimed his first World Cup downhill victory in spectacular fashion on the legendary Streif, becoming the first Canadian to win the Hahnenkamm downhill since Todd Brooker in 1983. Crawford’s fearless run edged out Switzerland’s Alexis Monney by 0.08 seconds, while Cameron Alexander delivered an aggressive performance to secure third, echoing the historic 1983 podium where Brooker stood atop with Ken Read in third. The day also saw Marco Odermatt finish a surprising sixth, highlighting the Streif’s unforgiving nature and proving once again that nothing is guaranteed on the world’s most iconic downhill course.

The legendary Kitzbühel Hahnenkamm Downhill is more than just a race—it's the ultimate test of courage, skill, and resilience in alpine skiing. From the adrenaline-fueled Mausefalle jump to the treacherous Hausberg Traverse and the lightning-fast Zielsprung finish, every section of the Streif demands perfection. While Swiss racers have dominated this season, North American stars like Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Cameron Alexander, Bryce Bennett, and James Crawford are ready to battle for glory. Dive into the full article to discover the stories, contenders, and drama surrounding the most iconic race in ski racing history.

The Women’s World Cup downhill returns to Garmisch-Partenkirchen on January 25, 2025, reviving the iconic Kandahar course after last year’s cancellation. With its steep drops and icy turns, the track promises drama as top contenders, including Italy’s Federica Brignone and Sofia Goggia, vie for critical points in the downhill standings. Adding to the excitement, five-time Garmisch winner Lindsey Vonn is back, aiming to recapture her dominance on one of the sport’s most challenging venues. Don’t miss the action as the world’s best skiers battle for glory in this pivotal race.

Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt claimed his first Hahnenkamm victory in the super-G, with Austria’s Raphael Haaser thrilling the home crowd in second and Stefan Rogentin completing the podium. Alpine Canada Alpin shone with Cameron Alexander in 5th and all five Canadians scoring points. Crashes and delays, including helicopter evacuations for Alexis Pinturault and Florian Loriot, added to the drama as racers battled changing conditions. The excitement now shifts to tomorrow’s legendary Hahnenkamm downhill.

Dive into the Kitzbühel Hahnenkamm Super-G, packed with exciting details about the legendary course, key racers, and the intense fight for World Championship spots and season points!

Alice Robinson claimed her first World Cup win since 2021 in a dramatic Kronplatz giant slalom, while Paula Moltzan made history with her first-ever GS podium. Robinson’s aggressive second run secured victory, with Lara Gut-Behrami finishing second. Moltzan’s stellar performance electrified the crowd and earned her a career-defining third place.