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Marco Odermatt: A Decisive Victory in Beaver Creek Giant Slalom

by Ines Camacho
Dec 9, 2025

The Swiss athlete triumphs at Birds of Prey with an outstanding performance, solidifying his World Cup lead and once again demonstrating his dominance in the discipline.

Marco Odermatt set his pace from the first run on the demanding Birds of Prey piste and maintained control on a much more deteriorated second run, clocking a total time of 2:20.59 that no rival could match. His aggressive yet precise skiing made the difference from the start, reaffirming his status as a benchmark in alpine skiing's premier discipline.

From the first split, it was clear that Odermatt arrived in Colorado in exceptional form. The lead he established over his competitors forced the world elite to take more risks than usual, and on such a selective course, any minor hesitation translates into lost seconds. Nevertheless, Alex Vinatzer surprised with a brilliant performance, finishing as the Swiss's main pursuer by just 23 hundredths, in one of his best recent career races and consolidating his progression in the discipline.

Henrik Kristoffersen completed the podium with a solid and consistent run, true to his competitive style that keeps him among the top ranks of the World Cup. The event also featured a high-level top eight, with racers demonstrating that giant slalom is shaping up to be one of the most contested disciplines of the season.

The consistency of Zan Kranjec, the progression of Lucas Braathen after his return to the circuit, and the solidity of Marco Schwarz kept the fight for the top positions alive, while American River Radamus shone in front of his home crowd. Stefan Brennsteiner completed the group of standout racers in an event that demanded maximum precision in every section of the course.

Birds of Prey once again proved to be a true barometer for the start of the season. Its fast track, aggressive snow, and constant changes in rhythm tested the technique and management capabilities of all competitors. In this arena, Marco Odermatt established himself as the natural leader in giant slalom, with a victory that reaffirms his dominance and adds a new chapter to his unstoppable career, confirming that his ambition to continue governing the World Cup remains intact.