Brennsteiner Captures Maiden World Cup Victory At Copper Mountain As Odermatt Crashes Out

In a race that upended the predictable hierarchy of men’s giant slalom, Austrian veteran Stefan Brennsteiner claimed his first career World Cup victory on Friday, triumphing at the Stifel Copper Cup. The 34-year-old’s breakthrough performance came on a dramatic day that saw the overwhelming favorite, Marco Odermatt, crash out in the first run.

Brennsteiner, who has been a consistent presence on the tour with four previous podium finishes but zero wins, finally broke through the glass ceiling on the Colorado snow. He held his nerve after leading the first run to fend off Slovenia's Žan Kranjec and Switzerland's Thomas Tumler, who finished second and third, respectively.

Brennsteiner, 34 years old, described the triumph as “just amazing,” reflecting on a career that has included near misses and steady persistence before finally converting a strong performance into a win. For Brennsteiner and the Austrian team, the victory is both a personal milestone and a reminder that experience and patience can pay off on the World Cup circuit

For Brennsteiner, the victory is a testament to perseverance. At 34, he becomes one of the older first-time winners in the discipline's history.

"It’s a dream come true," Brennsteiner said. "To finally stand on the top step after so many years, especially on a tough course like this, is incredible."

The Austrian laid the groundwork for his win with a masterful first run, clocking a time of 1:13.27 to take the early lead. Unlike many of his competitors who struggled with the altitude and the aggressive surface of the new Copper Mountain track, Brennsteiner skied with a fluid power that set him apart. In the second run, he managed the pressure of being the final racer on the mountain, skiing a tactical but aggressive line to secure the win.

The race's complexion changed instantly during the first run when Marco Odermatt, the defending overall World Cup champion and dominant force in giant slalom, skied out.

The race’s complexion changed dramatically in the first run when four‑time overall World Cup champion Marco Odermatt—who had been skiing aggressively and was on pace—lost control at a right‑hand gate and failed to finish, removing a heavy favorite from contention and opening the door for a surprise winner

Fresh off a Super-G victory on Thursday, Odermatt looked poised to continue his reign. However, halfway through his first run, the Swiss star caught an inside edge at a right-hand gate and slid off the course. It marked his first DNF in a giant slalom in nearly a year.

"A classic inside ski mistake, typical for this snow here," Odermatt told reporters after the race. "Too bad, that never really happens to me in training."

Odermatt’s exit blew the field wide open, removing the man who has won the last three giant slalom crystal globes and allowing a new face to claim the spotlight.

With Odermatt out, the battle for the podium became a tight affair. Žan Kranjec, the Slovenian technician known for his consistency, put immense pressure on Brennsteiner with a searing second run but had to settle for second place.

Thomas Tumler, Odermatt’s Swiss teammate, provided a consolation prize for the Swiss team by finishing third. Tumler, a Colorado specialist who won at Beaver Creek last year, proved once again that he thrives on American snow.

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, skiing for Brazil, continued his impressive return to the circuit with a fourth-place finish, narrowly missing out on the podium but solidifying his status as a top contender this season.

The home crowd had reason to cheer as American River Radamus battled his way into the points. After a tentative first run left him in 14th, the Edwards, Colorado native pushed hard in the second run to finish inside the top 15, salvaging a solid result for Team USA on home soil.

“I love racing here. I love the home atmosphere, and I knew that if I gave anything less than everything I had, I'd be regretting and finish,” said Radamus.

The Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete was the top performer of the day and sole American to land in the second run. On the first run Radamus was strong through the top splits but held back too much to find himself in 14th place.

As the sun was going in and out the crowds began to show up for run two. Radamus pushing out of the gate just after the first 15 racers with the plan to push his limits. In the green for the first few splits he held back just too much and bumped back a few spots.

Radamus was able to maintain a top 15 finish as many racers after him had significant trouble with the long course and altitude. Radamus would slide into the 15th position.

“I grew up watching the Birds of Prey World Cup in Beaver Creek. And that was sort of what inspired me to become a ski racer. I just need to put two good runs together,” said Radamus.

Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes Isaiah Nelson, Patrick Kenney and Ryder Sarchett also raced and landed in 35th, 37th, 38th and 47th place. Bridger Gile did not finish but is ok. The winner of the race was first time World Cup winner from Austria Stefan Brennsteiner. Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen took second with Croatian Filip Zubcic in third.