Full Breakdown
Vincent Kriechmayr Triumphs in Weather-Shortened Beaver Creek Super-G
12/6/2025, 11:59:55 AM
Challenging Conditions at Beaver Creek
On December 5, 2025, Austrian skier Vincent Kriechmayr secured victory in a World Cup super-G race at Beaver Creek, Colorado, amidst challenging weather conditions. The race, held on the Birds of Prey course, was officially concluded after 31 racers due to deteriorating visibility and strong winds. Kriechmayr clocked a time of 1 minute, 6.77 seconds, finishing 0.56 seconds ahead of Norway's Fredrik Moeller, with Austrian teammate Raphael Haaser taking third place, 1.03 seconds behind.
Weather Disruptions and Race Dynamics
The event faced significant interruptions, including a one-hour delay caused by fog and subsequent stoppages due to heavy snowfall. The race was initially scheduled for Saturday but was moved up to Friday to avoid predicted storms. Following a crash by Swiss skier Franjo von Allmen, who was able to ski to safety, the race was ultimately called off after the 31st competitor. Only 25 athletes completed their runs, leading to discussions about the fairness of the conditions faced by later starters.
Kriechmayr noted, “The first 14 racers had similar conditions, but after the break and after Franjo’s crash, it wasn’t that fair anymore. Of course, you want to have similar conditions for everyone.” This sentiment reflects the challenges athletes faced as the weather worsened throughout the day.
Historical Significance of the Win
This victory marked Kriechmayr's 19th career World Cup win and his 10th in the super-G discipline. It also held personal significance, as Beaver Creek was the site of his first World Cup point and victory in 2017. Kriechmayr's performance places him alongside Austrian skiing legend Stephan Eberharter for the second-most super-G podium finishes among Austrian men, trailing only Hermann Maier.
Competitor Highlights and Overall Standings
Fredrik Moeller's second-place finish was notable as it marked his second career World Cup podium. Raphael Haaser's third-place finish was his first podium in super-G after six previous second-place finishes. Marco Odermatt, the reigning overall World Cup champion, finished fifth, extending his streak of top-10 finishes in super-G races to 26. Despite the challenges, he remains at the top of the overall standings with 345 points, followed by Kriechmayr with 227 points.
Official Statements and Future Events
The next event in the Beaver Creek series is a giant slalom scheduled for December 7, 2025. Race organizers had to adjust the finish line location due to insufficient snow at the bottom of the course, highlighting ongoing challenges in maintaining optimal racing conditions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The race was pretty tough. I think the first 14 racers they had similar conditions, but after the break and after the cash from Franjo, it wasn't that fair anymore, I have to tell the truth.” — Vincent Kriechmayr, Austrian Skier
- “This course was more like a GS course. We’ve trained a lot of GS the last seasons, so that’s probably my advantage today. You can make mistakes — even Marco can make mistakes — but this was my day.” — Fredrik Moeller, Norwegian Skier
- “It was a tough race. The first 14 racers had similar conditions, but after the break and after Franjo’s crash, it wasn’t that fair anymore. I’m happy about my skiing, but I want to be honest about what the day was like.” — Vincent Kriechmayr, reflecting on the race conditions.
Kriechmayr's victory underscores the resilience required in alpine skiing, particularly when faced with unpredictable weather, as athletes prepare for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
