Kitzbuhel downhill race offers hope for Canadian skiers

The FIS Alpine Skiing Men's World Cup downhill in Kitzbuhel, Austria, stands as one of the sport's most daunting challenges. This event could provide a much-needed boost for Canada's Olympic medal contenders, who have faced recent struggles. A preview highlights its potential to revitalize their season ahead of the Games.

Alpine skiing's most frightening race awaits at the FIS Men's World Cup stop in Kitzbuhel, Austria. Known for its treacherous course, the downhill event demands precision and courage from the world's top competitors. For Canadian skiers, who have been grappling with inconsistent performances, this high-stakes race represents a critical opportunity to regain momentum toward Olympic success.

CBC Sports' newsletter underscores the race's reputation as a pivotal moment. "It might be just what the doctor ordered for Canada's struggling Olympic medal hopefuls," the preview notes, emphasizing the psychological and technical demands that could spark a turnaround. The event features the best in the men's downhill field going head-to-head, with the steep, icy slopes testing speed and control.

Recent related developments provide context: Alexis Guimond secured a narrow Para ski victory for Canada at a World Cup in Austria, signaling potential for broader success. Meanwhile, Marco Odermatt's record-setting wins in giant slalom and downhill at other venues affirm his status as an Olympic favorite, setting a high bar for the field.

As the race approaches—scheduled in the coming days—this Kitzbuhel classic could redefine Canada's season. Skiiers must navigate hairpin turns and high speeds, where small errors carry big risks. Observers see it as a chance for underperforming athletes to shine, potentially altering narratives heading into the Olympics.

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Manuel Feller celebrates his emotional first Kitzbuehel slalom victory as the home crowd cheers.
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Manuel Feller claims emotional first Kitzbuehel slalom victory

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Austria's Manuel Feller delighted the home crowd by winning the World Cup slalom in Kitzbuehel on January 25, 2026, marking his first victory on the iconic slope. Starting fourth after the opening run, Feller delivered a strong second run to finish ahead of Loic Meillard and Linus Strasser. The win comes after a challenging season for Feller, who has battled back pain and near-retirement thoughts.

Austria's Manuel Feller delighted the home crowd with an unexpected victory in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup men's slalom in Kitzbühel. The win highlighted his strong performance in the second run of the race. Meanwhile, Paco Rassat secured the season lead in the men's World Cup slalom standings after outperforming a Norwegian pair.

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Vincent Kriechmayr, the 2021 world champion, finished 13th in the men's downhill at Kitzbühel on January 24, 2026, visibly emotional and frustrated with the result. No Austrian skier placed in the top ten, a first in the modern history of the Hahnenkamm race, highlighting the team's 1,046-day World Cup downhill win drought. Italy's Giovanni Franzoni won the race in 1:52.31, with Switzerland's Marco Odermatt second.

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Switzerland's Loic Meillard won the men's World Cup giant slalom in Schladming, Austria, on January 27, 2026, securing his second victory of the season. He overtook Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen in the second run to finish 0.73 seconds ahead, while France's Alban Elezi Cannaferina earned his first podium in third. The race, held under floodlights, served as the final giant slalom tune-up before the Milano Cortina Olympics.

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The Olympic qualification period for women's alpine skiing ended after the World Cup races in Tarvisio, Italy, where U.S. athletes delivered standout performances. Lindsey Vonn claimed second in the super-G amid challenging visibility, while Breezy Johnson and Keely Cashman also shone, helping secure all 11 U.S. quota spots for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games.

 

 

 

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