Thursday Opens World Cup Downhill Season | Start List & Program

Dominik Paris / GEPA photos

The World Cup downhill season opens Thursday in Beaver Creek, moved sooner or later earlier as organizers reply to an incoming winter storm. The end has been raised up the race area,up by sooner or later however two robust coaching runs on the shortened 1:35 observe confirmed a tough, quick floor for the primary downhill of the Olympic season.

Swiss power units the early tempo

Switzerland enters because the nation to beat. Marco Odermatt, the reigning downhill globe winner, leads a deep group that features Franjo von Allmen, Alexis Monney, Justin Murisier, and Stefan Rogentin. All 5 have the pace and expertise required to problem Beaver Creek’s demanding terrain, even in its shortened kind.

Kilde returns to full pace

This race additionally marks the downhill return of Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, competing in his first World Cup downhill since January 2024. After easing again into racing final week in Copper Mountain’s super-G, Thursday turns into his true take a look at — full dedication, full pace, and a observe the place he has gained earlier than.

High-ranked starters bibs

bib 11 – Marco Odermatt (SUI) — Stöcklibib 8 – Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT) — HEADbib 7 – Stefan Rogentin (SUI) — HEADbib 31 – Raphael Haaser (AUT) — Atomicbib 14 – Franjo von Allmen (SUI) — HEADbib 43 – Fredrik Moeller (NOR) — Atomicbib 15 – Dominik Paris (ITA) — Nordica

North American and British starters

Canada (5)

bib 12 – James Crawford — HEADbib 17 – Cameron Alexanderbib 29 – Brodie Seger — Atomicbib 39 – Jeffrey Learn — Atomicbib 55 – Raphaël Lessard — HEAD

Stifel U.S. Ski Group (6)

bib 4 – Ryan Cochran-Siegle — HEADbib 19 – Bryce Bennett — Atomicbib 47 – Jared Goldbergbib 49 – Erik Arvidsson — HEADbib 50 – Kyle Negomir — Atomicbib 53 – Sam Morse

Impartial USA

bib 38 – Wiley Maple — Atomic

Nice Britain

bib 61 – Roy-Alexander Steudle — Atomic

A decisive opener

Even in shortened kind, the Stifel Birds of Prey downhill stays some of the full checks in males’s pace — gliding flats up excessive, steep pitches, highly effective turns, heavy compressions, and the signature Eagle bounce absolutely seen from the end stadium. With just one downhill in Beaver Creek this 12 months, athletes have one probability to determine early momentum because the Olympic season begins.

The World Cup’s first downhill at all times units the tone. This one arrives with winter lastly returning to the valley, a tough observe, and a deep subject able to assault Beaver Creek at full pace.