Podium debut: The salvation of Alex Vinatzer

Alex Vinatzer caused a minor sensation in the giant slalom race in Beaver Creek on Sunday.

07 December 2025

From: dl

Eighth place in Sölden, fifth in Copper Mountain, and now second in Beaver Creek: While Vinatzer has been searching for his form in his usual signature discipline, slalom, for some time, he is competing at the top level in giant slalom. On Sunday, the Val Gardena native improved his position by eight places with an outstanding second run in the final, securing his first podium finish in giant slalom.

For Vinatzer, this is his fourth podium finish in the World Cup. The now 26-year-old last stood on the podium in the Kitzbühel slalom at the beginning of the year – also finishing second. On Sunday in Beaver Creek, USA, the tenth-placed skier at the halfway point was beaten by Marco Odermatt by just 23 hundredths of a second.

Vinatzer: “A dream”

Vinatzer even had a glimmer of hope for victory at the end. But Odermatt narrowly managed to hold onto his large lead from the first run. Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen finished third, unable to match Vinatzer's time. "This is a dream come true for me. I still feel like a slalom skier, really. But I've found the perfect setup for giant slalom," explained a visibly relieved Vinatzer at the finish.