Ski Racing Thrills Return to Copper Mountain for Stifel Copper Cup Weekend

Bassyonni

ago 37 minutes

Ski Racing Thrills Return to Copper Mountain for Stifel Copper Cup Weekend

This Thanksgiving weekend, Copper Mountain Resort was bustling with ski racing excitement as the Stifel Copper Cup took center stage. Stretching from November 27 to November 30, the event marked the return of the Alpine World Cup to Copper for the first time since 2001. Ski enthusiasts gathered to witness high-stakes competition featuring elite athletes from around the world.

Competition Highlights

The four-day event kicked off with the men’s super-G competition on Thursday. Notable U.S. Alpine ski team member Ryan Cochran-Siegle made his mark by being the first skier to tackle the course. Despite a minor mistake towards the bottom, he maintained a competitive pace.

Among the crowd favorites was Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, who made a sensational comeback after nearly two years of recovery from a serious injury. His emotional return thrilled the audience, especially as he is engaged to two-time Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin. Kilde finished with a time of 1:08.95, tying for 24th place. He expressed his overwhelming emotions about returning, stating, “The feeling that I had when I was skiing was amazing.”

Copper Mountain Atmosphere

The energy among the spectators was palpable as they cheered for their favorite athletes. Many attendees, including local residents and international fans, enjoyed the chance to see world-class ski racing firsthand. Susan Whitakar, a local resident, noted that the excitement of attending the event was unparalleled, especially with stars like Shiffrin competing.

A group of Swiss fans traveled from Zurich to witness Marco Odermatt’s performance. “We have had a great experience and are so happy that we get to see Odermatt,” said Mark Deter. His enthusiasm highlighted the international appeal of the Stifel Copper Cup.

Men’s Giant Slalom Competition

Following the super-G, the men’s giant slalom took place on Black Friday, drawing in more crowds eager to see the action. Marco Odermatt, who won the previous day, faced challenges and was unable to finish, creating room for new competitors to rise.

Stefan Brennsteiner (Austria) – 2:30.98 (1st place)
Henrik Kristoffersen (Norway) – 2:31.93 (2nd place)
Filip Zubcic (Croatia) – 2:31.98 (3rd place)
Edward’s River Radamus (USA) – 2:32.83 (15th place)

Upcoming Events

The Stifel Copper Cup is set to continue with the women’s giant slalom and slalom competitions over the weekend, featuring leading athletes, including Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn. Shiffrin is coming off recent World Cup victories and is expected to deliver a strong performance.

For fans looking to stay informed, race coverage will be available through El-Balad, ensuring that no highlight of this thrilling ski racing event is missed.