Crans-Montana is buzzing with excitement as it prepares to host the Men's World Cup Downhill on February 22, 2025, marking the first time since 2012 the Swiss resort will see World Cup racing. The anticipation is palpable, with local athletes hoping to capitalize on their home advantage, particularly after strong performances at the recent Ski World Championships held in Saalbach, Austria.
This year's downhill race is set against the backdrop of mixed opinions from competitors, especially concerning the course's difficulty. Marco Odermatt, the reigning star of Swiss skiing, expressed his concerns about the track’s design. "It’s the easiest downhill I’ve ever raced; it lacks the challenging features found on more demanding courses like the Hahnenkamm," he noted, reflecting sentiments shared by other top skiers.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Franjo von Allmen, who recently captured the gold medal at the World Championships. He remarked, "While it’s easy to navigate, finding the speed required for victory isn’t straightforward." This tension over the track quality has not dimmed the excitement surrounding the race; it highlights the diverse challenges athletes face on the circuit.
The event weekend is presumed to be highly competitive, showcasing not just local talent but also formidable international contenders. The starting lineup includes noted athletes such as Vincent Kriechmayr from Austria and Dominik Paris from Italy, who are expected to challenge the Swiss trio of Odermatt, von Allmen, and Alexis Monney. Monney, recently coming off his podium finish at the World Championships, remarked on the importance of adapting to each course’s specific attributes.
This week’s World Cup race serves as more than just another competition. It’s also part of the preparations for the 2027 World Championships, which will again grace the slopes of Crans-Montana. This dual significance adds pressure to both organizers and athletes, as maintaining international standards for the competition is imperative. While some athletes have raised concerns over the track’s ease, coaches are confident adjustments can be made to tailor the racing conditions appropriately.
Training sessions prior to the event have seen several athletes demonstrating top form; Dominik Paris set the pace during the final practice run. Despite voicing his criticism about the track’s potential, his abilities on familiar slopes cannot be overlooked. Other competitors, such as Stefan Rogentin, have taken the opportunity to appreciate the different characteristic features of the course, advocating for inclusivity of varying terrain styles.
Notably, this race weekend is expected to attract considerable crowds, bringing together skiing fans from around the region. A harmonious blend of local support and international visitors will add vibrancy to the event, as spectators eagerly await the action on the Piste Nationale.
Expected start times are set for 10:00 AM on Saturday for the downhill, followed by the Super-G on Sunday at 10:30 AM. Major broadcasters like ARD and Eurosport will cover the events live, providing comprehensive coverage of the races and results. The prize pool emphasizes the stakes involved, with lucrative winnings up for grabs—CHF 144,000 total, including CHF 47,000 for the first-place finisher.
Competitors will also be battling for early positioning points toward the overall season standings, where Marco Odermatt currently leads the charge after several outstanding runs this season across different disciplines. Following the championship week, the focus will quickly shift back to the crystal globe standings as the winter racing schedule begins to wind down.
The atmosphere surrounding the Crans-Montana Men's World Cup is charged with excitement, doubt, and determination. It encapsulates the essence of the sport: where skill meets terrain, and only the best can navigate both successfully. With the race days fast approaching, the skiing community watches intently, waiting to see if the expectations will translate to outstanding performances on the slopes.