The 2025 Ski World Championships are actively underway at Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria, with the highly anticipated men's Super-G race scheduled for February 7, 2025, at 11:30 AM local time. This event marks the start of the individual speed competitions as athletes strive for gold, silver, and bronze medals. Fans can catch the live action on various platforms, including ARD, Eurosport, and the ORF network.
Titleholder James Crawford, who recently delighted audiences by winning the prestigious Streif race at Kitzbühel, is ready to defend his title. The Canadian skier will face tough competition from several top contenders, most prominently Switzerland's Marco Odermatt, who is firmly positioned as the favorite following his remarkable performance last season, where he captured two gold medals at the 2023 Ski World Championships.
The Super-G race is part of what is being dubbed ‘Speed Weekend,’ which began with the women's Super-G on February 6. Many spectators are excited to see how the outcomes of earlier competitions may influence the men's race. Traditionally, this event showcases the world's finest skiers, vying for supremacy on the slopes of the Zwölferkogel mountain.
Alongside Crawford and Odermatt, several other athletes are set to compete, including Romed Baumann, Simon Jocher, and Luis Vogt, representing Germany. Baumann is known for his consistency, Jocher brings youthful ambition to the competition, and Vogt is battling through injuries to make his mark.
Television coverage of the event will be rich and diverse. The ARD will begin its broadcast at 11:15 AM, featuring commentary by well-known sports reporter Bernd Schmelzer. Eurosport 1 will kick off its coverage at 11 AM, ensuring fans don't miss any thrilling moments. Meanwhile, ORF 1 will offer extensive coverage starting at 10:30 AM, providing pre-race insights and analyses leading up to the competition.
While the thrill of the race is primarily what draws viewers, the broader significance of the Ski World Championships also cannot be overstated. Saalbach-Hinterglemm serves as the backdrop for these pivotal contests, reminiscent of its previous hosting of the Championships back in 1991, known as the 'Sonnen-WM.' The picturesque Austrian village has prepared itself to accommodate both spectators and competitors over the course of the event, which spans until February 16.
Many fans will be tuning in to see if Crawford can extend his championship run or if Odermatt will claim the title as expected. The intrigue surrounding the men's Super-G has already begun, with the results from earlier events providing additional drama. Stephanie Venier’s victory for the women has raised the stakes, and the male athletes are eager to follow suit and bring their best performances to the forefront.
Fans can remain updated on the action, including live timings and updates, through Eurosport’s live ticker, ensuring they won't miss any significant developments during this thrilling speed racing event.
For those unable to watch on television, multiple live streaming options are available, including discovery+ and Joyn, which require subscriptions, giving viewers flexibility to enjoy the competition at their convenience.
After the men’s Super-G, the schedule continues with women’s downhill on February 8 and men’s downhill on February 9, illustrating the packed agenda for the championship and ensuring nonstop alpine skiing action for fans worldwide.
The stakes are high as the athletes head down the slopes, each turning and carving their way pushing for medals and personal bests. Questions abound: Will Marco Odermatt live up to expectations and dethrone the reigning champion? Can the underdogs rise to the occasion and disrupt the favorites? Only time will tell.