Gut-Behrami and Odermatt Win as World-Class Course puts Athletes' Skills to the Test
Sun Valley, ID, USA – March 26, 2025 – The 2025 Stifel Sun Valley Finals have been lauded for the spectacular and aptly named Challenger course, and the past two days of FIS World Cup Giant Slalom racing have showcased its demanding character perfectly.
Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) delivered another exceptional performance, claiming the Giant Slalom victory with a combined time of 2:10.01. It marked a powerful continuation of her momentum in Sun Valley, following her Super G title earlier in the week. Italy’s Federica Brignone, who had already secured the Downhill Crystal Globe, finished just 0.14 seconds behind with 2:10.15, securing second place and solidifying her position as the GS Crystal Globe winner for the season. Sweden’s Sara Hector rounded out the podium in third with a time of 2:10.81.
Reflecting on her season and this race in particular, Gut-Behrami shared that, “The slope is challenging, it's not easy for a GS, and the snow conditions changed so fast during the run. I think for everyone it has been a really great challenge. I'm happy to be back winning in GS, and it was really a nice way to end my season.”
The Overall GS cup standings were shaken up as New Zealand’s Alice Robinson was knocked off her top spot when she failed to complete her run in GS. Federica Brignone (ITA), who was just 20 points behind the Kiwi going into the race, took home the Giant Slalom Crystal Globe, capping off a spectacular year for the Italian, who also won the Downhill Crystal Globe and will be crowned the Overall World Cup Champion following Thursday’s slalom race. Sweden’s Sara Hector displayed an impressive performance and placed third in the GS race.
Gut-Behrami was also awarded the inaugural Stifel HERoic Cup and a cash purse of $50,000, as a celebration of her achievement as the most successful World Cup women's skier in the U.S. World Cup races: Stifel Killington Cup, Stifel Birds of Prey and Stifel Sun Valley Finals.
In the men’s Giant Slalom on March 26th, Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard delivered a stand-out performance with a combined time of 2:15.21, winning by almost a full second (0.95). He was followed by his teammate Marco Odermatt (SUI), who climbed from sixth place after the first run and delivered a time of 2:16.16. Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) landed in a close third with a time of 2:16.35.
“I just try to show my best skiing, to focus on the technical parts, what I can do best and the rest I just let a bit on the side and not focus on the results, and that paid off,” added Loïc, describing his mindset. “It's nice to come here and the weather today is the perfect weather for a final. Everyone is enjoying it, having fun and that makes it nice to end the season.”
The Overall GS Crystal Globe for men was awarded to Odermatt (SUI), his fourth consecutive GS Crystal Globe. He is followed by Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) in second place, and Swiss teammate Loic Meillard (SUI) snuck onto the podium in third with an incredible performance on the Challenger course in Sun Valley.
Tomorrow, March 27, the Slalom event is expected to wow the crowd, and the Overall Alpine Champions will be crowned. The Worldcup Rebels Après Music Series welcomes Switchfoot to the stage at Warm Springs Plaza, 3PM-5PM, to close out the Stifel Sun Valley Finals. For more information on race results, upcoming events, and live coverage, visit the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals website.
Spectator Information:
Spectator viewing is free at the base area and in select zones along the course, allowing fans to experience the thrill of World Cup racing up close. The Stifel Sun Valley Finals Spectator Guide offers robust information and instructions on how to watch, what to expect, ski racing history, and more.
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Jess Fiaschetti, Chief of Media, SunValley@OutsidePR.com