Ryan Cochran-Siegle soars to second in Birds of Prey downhill, Marco Odermatt victorious again

Marco Odermatt (SUI) remained untouchable, unassailable and unbeatable at Birds of Prey, successful the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup’s inaugural downhill occasion of the season with a time of 1:29.84.

Ryan Cochran-Siegle (USA), the one American to earn a medal on the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, demonstrated why he’s nonetheless one of the highest velocity racers in the world, claiming second (+0.30) for his fourth profession Cup podium and first on U.S. snow.

Coming in third with a powerful efficiency was Adrian Smiseth Sejersted (NOR) (+0.69), who completed twenty second at Beaver Creek final yr.

Birds of Prey has lengthy been a particular place for Cochran-Siegle. It was the location of his second World Cup begin as a 19-year-old and the primary race in which he picked up Cup factors. Practically a decade and a half later, he earned his first top-three end in Beaver Creek, and it got here in a self-discipline to which he’s dedicating quite a bit of focus in coaching. The Vermont native is hungry for downhill success.

“I’ve solely received the super-G so successful a World Cup downhill is an enormous purpose of mine,” the 33-year-old informed NBC Sports activities prior to the beginning of the season. “After which successful Olympic downhill gold is one other. I acknowledge that I am not at all a favourite, however I do know that I am succesful of it. I believe that is what’s actually necessary, believing in myself and having that confidence.”

Till Cochran-Siegle on Thursday, no American had secured a podium at Beaver Creek since 2021 when Travis Ganong took third in the super-G. 

His masterful efficiency at Birds of Prey was a pleasant bounce again from the stumble he took late in his Copper Mountain run final week, which doubtless stored him out of the top-three.

In the meantime, Marco Odermatt appeared unbothered by a DNF in his earlier race, swooping in to snatch RCS’ early lead to win his third race of the season and second in seven days. It pushed his general Cup level complete to 300, a commanding 144 factors forward of the second place Marco Schwarz (AUT).

“I analyzed the 2 coaching runs effectively,” he stated afterwards. “I had an excellent plan and line in my thoughts, and in the tip, I had an excellent setup. I might play the place I wanted to, but additionally had good suggestions when it was wanted.”

The victory marks Odermatt’s fifth profession downhill triumph and forty eighth Cup win general. If he sweeps the remainder of his Birds of Prey occasions (he’s set for the super-G and big slalom), the Swissblade will earn his landmark fiftieth victory, placing him in rarified air with Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) and Lindsey Vonn (USA) as the one different lively skiers to have reached that determine.

For third place finisher Adrian Smiseth Sejersted, it was his third profession podium and first since 2020. Coincidentally, that very same Bormio podium he shared with Ryan Cochran-Siegle.

Final season’s breakout star Franjo Von Allmen (SUI) trailed intently behind Sejersted, ending fourth. Aleksander Aamodt-Kilde (NOR), who continues to work his manner again to type after an nearly two-year absence, narrowly missed the top-ten. He positioned eleventh.

Bryce Bennett (USA), who got here in sixth at Beaver Creek final season, grabbed twenty eighth, gathering his first factors of the 2025-26 marketing campaign.

The 5 different Individuals that raced struggled, touchdown outdoors of the top-45 (in a subject of 64).

A scary second hung a darkish cloud over the bluebird day when the 58th skier, Rok Aznoh (SLO), violently crashed between Sectors 2 and three of his run. He slammed into the online, bounced off and lay face down on the snow, whereas his helmet tumbled down the mountain. He appeared to be unconscious.  

Beaver Creek enforced a course maintain so medical professionals might attend to Aznoh earlier than in the end taking him down in a sled. There’s no phrase but on the severity of his accidents. Updates to observe.

The Alpine motion continues at Birds of Prey Friday with the super-G race. Many of Thursday’s opponents, together with Odermatt, RCS and Kilde are set to ski again.

*Delayed Broadcast*