Thomas Tumler bags first-ever World Cup win with giant slalom triumph in Beaver Creek as Marco Odermatt skies out
Swiss racer Tumler consolidated his lead in the first run for the win while Lucas Pinheiro Braathen gave Brazil its first World Cup podium on Sunday (8 December). Olympic champion Odermatt registered his second DNF of the season.
Alpine Skiing
Swiss alpine skiing stalwart Thomas Tumler finally got his first ever FIS World Cup win dominating the giant slalom in Beaver Creek, Colorado on Sunday (8 December).
The 35-year-old had to wait more than a decade since his World Cup debut in 2012 to earn the top step in his specialist event.
Beaver Creek belonged to Swiss racers this weekend, with Justin Murisier winning the downhill on Friday and Olympic champion Marco Odermatt taking the Super G on Saturday.
Tumler built on his first-run advantage, holding off a late challenge by Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who made history by giving Brazil its first-ever World Cup podium with his second place. Pinheiro Braathen finished just 0.12 seconds behind Tumler with Slovenia’s Zan Kranjec taking third.
Tumler clearly has an affinity for Beaver Creek with the Swiss skier reaching his first World Cup podium on the Birds of Prey course with a third-place finish in the giant slalom back in 2018.
“I don’t have any words at the moment. When the World Cup calendar was out and I saw Beaver Creek, I joked that I would win there. And now I am here!” Tumler told the FIS.
Tumler threw down the gauntlet in the opening run on Sunday, posting a time of 1:16.24 for a 1.26s advantage over compatriot and defending giant slalom World Cup champion Odermatt.
As it turned out, Odermatt would not be the biggest threat to Tumler’s maiden victory after the Olympic champion skied out in the giant slalom for the second time this season.
Odermatt needed a super second run, after finishing 1.26 seconds off the lead, but was disqualified five gates into his descent.
Beaver Creek, 2024/25 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup: Results from men's giant slalom, 8 December 2024 (top 10):
- Thomas Tumler (SUI) 2:27.60
- Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA) +0.12
- Zan Kranjec (SLO) +0.58
- Atle Lie McGrath (NOR) +0.71
- Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) +1.05
- Filip Zubcic (CRO) +1.25
- River Radamus (USA) +1.69
- Luca de Aliprandini (ITA) +1.72
- Alexander Steen Olsen (NOR) +1.85
- Stefan Brennsteiner (AUT) +1.87