In a stunning breakthrough, Stefan Brennsteiner earned his first victory in the World Cup circuit at the age of 34. This momentous achievement occurred during the giant slalom event at Copper Mountain, Colorado, on November 28, 2025. Brennsteiner’s win came as he capitalized on Olympic champion Marco Odermatt’s failure to finish.
Brennsteiner’s Historic Win
Stefan Brennsteiner secured his victory with a time that placed him 0.95 seconds ahead of his closest competitor. He had previously participated in 81 World Cup events across 14 seasons, making this win especially significant. Brennsteiner expressed his feelings about the accomplishment, stating, “It means a lot for me. The last years were quite good, but I had tough times in my career.”
Competition Details
Norwegian skier Henrik Kristoffersen finished in second place, despite experiencing breathing difficulties in the high altitude of Colorado. Filip Zubcic completed the podium in third, demonstrating an impressive performance by advancing from 13th place after the first run.
- Stefan Brennsteiner: 1st place, time advantage of 0.95 seconds
- Henrik Kristoffersen: 2nd place
- Filip Zubcic: 3rd place, improved from 13th
Brennsteiner initially led the race by 0.26 seconds after the first run. His lead increased on the challenging late-afternoon snow conditions. Although he recorded the 11th fastest time during the second run, he maintained his advantage as his competitors fell behind.
Odermatt’s Unexpected Exit
Marco Odermatt, who has dominated the giant slalom with 27 wins over the past five years, made an unexpected exit from the race. This was the first time since December that he failed to complete a giant slalom event. He lost control of his ski during the opening run after posting the fastest early time.
Future Events
The women’s World Cup will take the spotlight at Copper Mountain this weekend. Star skier Mikaela Shiffrin, who holds a record 103 race wins, will compete in both a giant slalom and a slalom event. Meanwhile, the men’s circuit will continue at Beaver Creek, set to feature a series of three races beginning next Friday.
This victory marks a pivotal moment in Brennsteiner’s career and adds an exciting dynamic to the ongoing ski season.
