In a display of sheer dominance on the iconic Birds of Prey course, Swiss alpine skiing sensation Marco Odermatt stormed to his first-ever World Cup downhill win on Thursday, securing his 48th career victory and etching his name deeper into the sport’s storied history.
Odermatt, the reigning overall World Cup champion and a five-time globe winner, clocked an impeccable time of 1:39.45 down the challenging 757-meter vertical drop track, fending off a fierce field of international contenders. The 28-year-old from Switzerland edged out American standout Ryan Cochran-Siegle by a razor-thin margin of 0.30 seconds, with Slovenia’s Miha Hrobat rounding out the podium in third, 0.45 seconds back.
The victory marks a poetic full-circle moment for Odermatt, who claimed his breakthrough World Cup win—a super-G—right here at Beaver Creek exactly six years ago. “This place has always held a special magic for me,” Odermatt said post-race, beaming under the crisp Rocky Mountain sun. “The Birds of Prey tests everything: speed, precision, courage. To conquer it in downhill for the first time feels like a dream realized. It’s fuel for the rest of the season.”
Designed by Olympic gold medalist Bernhard Russi, the Birds of Prey course is renowned as one of the most technically demanding downhills on the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup circuit. With its blend of high-speed flats, steep pitches exceeding 63%, and massive jumps like the Golden Eagle, it punishes the slightest error. Weather woes had plagued preparations, with fog and storms forcing the race from its original slot to Thursday, but Odermatt thrived in the variable conditions, showcasing the versatility that has made him the most complete racer of his generation.
Odermatt’s path to this milestone has been nothing short of meteoric. Bursting onto the scene in 2019, he has amassed 48 World Cup podiums, including 13 downhill triumphs across his career—though this Beaver Creek win is his inaugural in the pure downhill discipline. Last season, he shattered records with 13 victories, claiming four crystal globes in overall, downhill, super-G, and giant slalom, surpassing legends like Hermann Maier in points totals. This year, after opening with a giant slalom win in Sölden and a super-G in Copper Mountain, Odermatt entered Beaver Creek as the heavy favorite, sidelining challengers like Norway’s injured Aleksander Aamodt Kilde.
The Swiss star’s flawless run saw him glide effortlessly through the course’s notorious compression zones and launch skyward off the jumps, maintaining blistering pace from start to finish. Teammate Justin Murisier, who stunned Odermatt with a surprise downhill win here last year by a mere 0.20 seconds, settled for fourth today (+0.52), gracious in defeat. “Marco is on another level,” Murisier admitted. “Pushing him makes us all better.”
For the host nation, Cochran-Siegle’s runner-up finish was a highlight, equaling his career-best downhill result from Val Gardena in 2020 and marking his fourth World Cup podium overall. The Vermont native, racing in front of a raucous home crowd, credited the electric atmosphere for his breakthrough performance. “Chasing Marco down this hill? That’s the stuff of legends,” Cochran-Siegle said. “I’m over the moon—now let’s keep the momentum going.”
Canada’s James Crawford impressed in fourth (+0.38), while Brodie Seger held strong in 10th, underscoring North America’s rising prowess in speed events. Italy’s Dominik Paris and France’s Alexis Monney also cracked the top 10, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive season opener.
Odermatt’s win catapults him to the top of the early downhill standings, reinforcing his status as the man to beat as the World Cup calendar unfolds. With super-G and giant slalom races slated for Saturday and Sunday in Beaver Creek, the Swiss ace hinted at a potential weekend sweep. “One down, many more to chase,” he grinned. “The fire is lit.”
The Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS World Cup continues to deliver high-octane drama, reminding fans why Beaver Creek remains “Where Winter Begins.” As Odermatt hoists his 48th trophy, the alpine world braces for what promises to be another era-defining campaign from the undisputed king of the slopes.
