Florian Schieder is looking forward to the World Cup races in Val Gardena. © Saslong Classic Club

Curtain up for the XXL week on the Saslong

The sprint downhill on Thursday (starting at 11:45 a.m.) is the first of three speed races to kick off the XXL World Cup weekend in Val Gardena. There are many contenders for victory on the shortened course from the Super-G start – but one name clearly stands out.

17 December 2025

From: pm

And that's Marco Odermatt. The reigning overall and downhill World Cup champion not only won the last downhill race on the Saslong, but was also unbeatable in this winter's only downhill in Beaver Creek. The exceptional Swiss skier further underlined his dominance in the first downhill training run with a commanding best time. Currently, it almost seems as if the 28-year-old can only beat himself.

Besides Odermatt, there are a number of other athletes in the Swiss downhill team who are capable of achieving great things: Rising star Franjo von Allmen (second in last year's downhill), as well as Alexis Monney (fourth in training), Justin Murisier or Stefan Rogentin are always good for top positions on the Saslong.

What are the chances for the US boys and the veterans?

Also worth keeping an eye on in Val Gardena are the traditionally strong Americans. Two-time Saslong winner Bryce Bennett, who won the last sprint downhill two years ago, is among the favorites, as is Ryan Cochran-Siegle, who regularly delivers strong performances at the foot of the Langkofel. The American duo has already confirmed their good form with fast times in training. Speaking of training: Austrian Daniel Hemetsberger also made a strong statement there, finishing second.

Also not to be underestimated are the experienced skiers Dominik Paris (Italy – third in training) and Vincent Kriechmayr (Austria). While Paris won the classic downhill in 2023, Kriechmayr boasts three victories in Val Gardena between the downhill and the Super-G. Incidentally, the Austrian celebrated his only downhill victory on a shortened course.

Among the past winners on the Saslong is Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, who has already won the Val Gardena downhill three times. However, after his long injury break, the Norwegian is considered a clear outsider this year. Nevertheless, anything is possible on the Saslong for this proven Val Gardena specialist.

Casse opens the sprint downhill.

The starting order for Thursday's sprint downhill has been finalized since Wednesday afternoon. During the team captains' meeting on Wednesday evening, the bib numbers for the first of three speed events at the 58th Saslong Classic were assigned. The race, which is being held as a replacement for the canceled Beaver Creek downhill, will be opened by Italy's Mattia Casse. The 2024 Super-G winner will be the first athlete to tackle the shortened course at 11:45 a.m. Two of the favorites, Austrian Daniel Hemetsberger (bib number 3) and American Bryce Bennett (number 4), have been assigned low bib numbers. Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, the Saslong specialist and returning competitor from Norway, will also start early, wearing bib number 5.

Marco Odermatt is the top favorite in Val Gardena. © Saslong Classic Club

The first racer from the top group to start is Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen (No. 6). Immediately behind him is a high-caliber trio: Vincent Kriechmayr (Austria) leaves the starting gate with bib number 7, followed by American Ryan Cochran-Siegle (No. 8) and Switzerland's Alexis Monney (No. 9). Things are likely to get really exciting – and probably especially loud in the finish area – a little later: Dominik Paris is the 13th racer to start. The local hero from Ulten won the classic Saslong downhill in 2023 and is once again one of the top contenders for the day's victory. Immediately afterward, last year's winner and top favorite Marco Odermatt plunges into the race with bib number 14.

Among the 67 starters from 18 nations are a total of eight Italians. Besides Paris, two other South Tyroleans are also participating: Florian Schieder from Kastelruth will start with bib number 16, followed by Christof Innerhofer from Gais with bib number 37.

An anniversary

From a sports history perspective, Thursday's sprint downhill marks a very special milestone: According to research by the ORF, the race is the 1.000th downhill race in World Cup history, counting across both women's and men's events.