Thomas Tumler achieved his first World Cup victory at the giant slalom in Beaver Creek, USA, narrowly defeating Lucas Braathen and Zan Kranjec. Tumler led after the first run and capitalized on Odermatt’s exit from the competition. Braathen celebrated Brazil’s first alpine ski podium despite finishing second. German skiers also performed well, with Alexander Schmid finishing twelfth. Notable struggles included Odermatt and Cyprien Sarrazin, who both failed to complete their runs. Fans can follow the alpine skiing season via a downloadable calendar.
Thomas Tumler Claims His First World Cup Victory
In a thrilling turn of events at the giant slalom World Cup in Beaver Creek, USA, Thomas Tumler capitalized on Marco Odermatt’s misstep, denying Lucas Braathen a celebratory moment. This marked Tumler’s inaugural World Cup win, adding excitement for fans with four German competitors earning points.
On Sunday, December 8, 2024, Tumler edged out the determined Lucas Pinheiro Braathen by a mere 0.12 seconds and Slovenian Zan Kranjec by 0.58 seconds on the demanding slopes. The previous season’s overall champion, Marco Odermatt, faced an early exit from the competition, having been eliminated in his second giant slalom race of the season.
Drama and Emotions at the Finish Line
The 35-year-old Tumler showcased his skills by leading at halftime with a 0.56-second advantage over Kranjec and Norwegian Atle Lie McGrath. Braathen, competing for Brazil this season, was in a promising position, trailing just behind Tumler.
In a heartwarming moment, Braathen, adorned with bib number 29, appeared set for victory until Tumler’s impressive final run shifted the outcome. This achievement marked Brazil’s first-ever alpine ski podium, prompting Braathen to shed tears of joy at the finish area.
German skier Alexander Schmid also impressed, finishing twelfth despite battling recent health issues. Schmid’s consistent performance at high altitudes demonstrated his resilience. Alongside him, three other German athletes also secured points in this challenging race.
Notably, Altenauer Fabian Gratz made a remarkable leap from 28th to 19th place in the second round, while Stefan Luitz and Jonas Stockinger finished in 22nd and 25th places, respectively. Unfortunately, Anton Grammel was the only German competitor to be eliminated in the initial round.
Marco Odermatt’s disappointing day continued as he struggled to maintain his momentum after a recent Super-G victory. The Swiss star faltered in the second round, failing to navigate the course after slipping over a wave at the second gate.
Similarly, Cyprien Sarrazin from France faced a challenging day, unable to finish the race after two difficult runs, echoing the struggles of Austria’s leading skier, Vincent Kriechmayr.
For fans eager to keep up with the alpine skiing season, the ski calendar featuring all events from Sölden to the World Championships in Saalbach is readily available for download to smartphones. Don’t miss out on the action as the Super-G race unfolds in Beaver Creek, complete with a re-live broadcast.